Tonight’s Picks: Backup Battle in Calgary?

10-13: Well the Caps folded, looks like their hot start is over.  Also, something about Scott Hartnell biting Kris Letang?  I can’t wait for the next time these guys play.  If not for Braydon Coburn potting one in Emery’s five-hole from the corner, the game would’ve been much closer.  I’m only looking at the Stars-Flames tonight.  I don’t know what to think about Florida so far this season so I’m going to give them a few more games to let me figure them out.

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Dallas Stars +140 at Calgary Flames -160

Normally, the Flames would look like a lock in this matchup but it took Flames backup Curtis McElhinney 14 games last season until he got his first win (good news for bettors).  Last season, McElhinney was 1-6 with a super high 3.89 GAA and a super low .889 SV%.  The Flames’ sticks are hot right now (no pun intended) scoring an average of 4.25 goals per game in a remarkably low 25 shots per game, but their D has been off, allowing 3.00 goals per game.  The Stars offense has also been there, averaging 3.00 goals per game and allowing 4.00 goals per game.  Auld is a good backup but the way the Flames have been scoring on Khabibulin, Luongo, and Halak, they should have no trouble scoring against Auld.  The Flames also have a 46% PP% matched up against the Stars’ 63% PK%.  All four of Calgary’s games this season have been over the goal total while only 1 of the Stars’ 2 games have been over the total.  Everything just screams offense to me in this one and I like the fact that backups should be starting this game.
Pick: Over 5.5 goals -115