NHL Game Preview for Tuesday March 15, 2011: Phoenix Coyotes @ Calgary Flames

NHL Game Preview for Tuesday March 15, 2011: Phoenix Coyotes @ Calgary Flames

Betting Online Overview

Aside from the 2011 March Madness betting going on, the Phoenix Coyotes are dealing with the ultimate distraction that comes with having no owner. The Coyotes are up for sale, and no one seems really interested in buying them to keep them in Phoenix. The sportsbook promo media keeps asking the Coyotes about their opinions on the state of the team's ownership, and the team is just trying to make the playoffs. Considering the magnitude of the potential price per head distraction that a lack of ownership can offer, the Coyotes are progressing very nicely in their hunt for a playoff spot.

The Calgary Flames have been a roller coaster all season long. At one point in the season, the Flames were flirting with the basement of the Western Conference. In the last two months, the Flames have been one of the best teams in the league. But recent play has put the Flames in danger of dropping out of the playoff picture again. The Flames have dropped to eighth in the conference, and there are three teams within four points of catching the Flames. Each of the teams fighting for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference is being inconsistent. If the Flames can get back to putting together winning streaks, then they can stay ahead of the teams chasing them.

Phoenix Coyotes

The Coyotes are 4-4-2 in the last 10 games, but they are riding a two-game winning streak. Phoenix is only three points away from catching the Pacific Division leading San Jose Sharks, and the Coyotes know they need to keep winning to have any chance of winning the division for a second year in a row. Phoenix is a strong road team with a 19-12-5 road record. It could be that getting away from the questions about ownership is helpful to the team. The Coyotes are also getting some good play lately out of goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov, who is 3-1-1 in the last five games including a recent shutout of the Calgary Flames. IN Bryzgalov's last two starts against the Flames he has only allowed one goal. With the Flames playing inconsistently right now, the defense of the Coyotes poses quite a challenge.

Calgary Flames

In the last 10 games the Flames are 5-4-1 and riding a two-game losing streak. Despite their recent struggles against Phoenix, the Flames are 21-11-4 at home, which is one of the best home records in the Western Conference. The Flames need something to grab on to in order to climb back up in the standings and secure their playoff spot. A win over the Coyotes would be a good starting point, and the Flames do have the necessary elements to win this very important game.

The Bottom Line

The Flames are a desperate hockey team, but the Coyotes seem to be one of the most focused groups of athletes in sports right now. To maintain a winning season in the face of an ownership crisis says a lot about the quality of the coaching and leadership on the Coyotes. But the Flames are due for an upturn to their season, and this game provides the perfect stage for that run up the standings.

Pick: Calgary Flames

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