Free Picks for Thursday, April 13th, 2017 from some of the nations best and worst handicappers
Alan Harris
Anaheim (-155) over Calgary
The Anaheim Ducks will look to take a 1-0 lead in their Western Conference Quarterfinal matchup with the Calgary Flames when the two teams meet at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday night. John Gibson (25-16-9, 2.22 GAA, 924 save %) will get the start for the Ducks, and he will be opposed by Brian Elliott (26-18-3, 2.55 GAA, .910 save %), who is scheduled to get the Game 1 start between the pipes for the Flames. The Ducks have posted an 8-1 record in their last nine games where they faced a team with a winning record and they have gone an excellent 36-16 in their last 52 games versus a Pacific Division rival. The Flames, on the other hand, have struggled a bit in the spot they are in here on Thursday as they have gone just 2-5 in their last seven games when facing a team with a winning % of .500 or higher. Throw in fact that the Ducks have gone a ridiculous 27-0 in their last 27 home games versus the Flames along with going 39-14 in the last 53 overall between the two teams and we'll lay the price with them here to get the home win in Anaheim on Thursday night.