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Ice picks: Today's best NHL bets

Colorado Avalanche at Calgary Flames (-170, 5.5)

Goals aren’t hard to come by for the red-hot Flames. Calgary leads the league in goals per game (4.00) and sports a 9-1 over/under record.

The club is getting offense from all lines, making it difficult for opponents to slow the scoring barrage. Calgary has lit the lamp 11 times in its last three games including five Saturday against the Oilers.

Coach Brian Sutter would be much happier with his squad’s play if it wasn’t getting sent to the sin bin so often.

“Where we’ve gotten ourselves into trouble is when we’ve taken too many penalties,” he told the Calgary Herald. “When you’re getting seven, eight, Nine minors a night, it’s a tough night for your penalty kill.”

The Flames’ penalty kill is one of their few weaknesses. Look for the Avalanche to draw some penalties and take advantage of their power play opportunities.

Pick: Over


Ottawa Senators at Florida Panthers (+113, 5.5)

The Sens spent most of their Monday practice trying to improve their 29th-ranked power play. Ottawa failed to capitalize on each of its three opportunities in a 4-3 loss to the Bruins on Saturday.

The buzz in town suggests that the return of defenseman Filip Kuba should bolster the special teams.

“I think he’ll make a big (power-play) improvement as far as just poise, confidence and experience back there,” Senators coach Cory Clouston told the Ottawa Citizen. “He doesn’t have a booming shot, but he’s able to get the shots through, for the most part. He’s very intelligent, as far as reading (the play).”

The Panthers should make a great guinea pig. They’ve given up 13 goals in their last three games and are 1-7 over their last eight matches.

Pick: Sens