-
Sports Interaction Staff
Avalanche vs. Flames Game 1 Prediction: NHL Playoffs Betting Odds
It’s a battle between two offensive powerhouses when the Flames clash with the Avalanche for the 2019 NHL playoffs. Eight of the top forty players with the most points in the league are going to be on the ice for this matchup, so fans should be looking forward to some impressive first-round action.
Avalanche vs. Flames Stanley Cup Playoffs Betting Analysis
In terms of all-time wins between these two teams, the Flames have the advantage with a record of 78-66-20. This is the first time since 2006 that the Avalanche have gotten to the postseason in consecutive years, but they haven’t won a playoff series in 11 years.
Calgary dominated the Avs this season, winning each of the three games between the clubs. Mark Giordano did particularly well against the Colorado side, notching a goal and five assists to lead the team against the Avalanche. On the other side of the ice, Gabriel Landeskog had a goal and three assists in those games against the Flames.
The Flames have recent history very much on their side against this team, having gone 8-1-0 in their last nine.
More than 80 percent of Sports Interaction bettors like the home side in Thursday’s series opener, and nearly as large a majority favour the O6 play on the total. But it’s worth considering that the Avalanche have gone 6-1 to the under in their past seven road games and are 10-3 to the under in their last 13 games as an underdog. And while the teams are 3-0-1 O/U in their last four meetings in Alberta, Calgary is 5-1-1 to the under in its previous seven home games.
Colorado Avalanche
When it comes to scoring goals, Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog form a pretty incredible offensive front for the Avalanche. Together they scored over 40% of all goals scored by their team, which isn’t necessarily a good thing considering how top-heavy that makes them. In that regard, the Flames have the advantage, since their roster is a little deeper.
The advantage for Colorado in this matchup is between the pipes, where Philipp Grubauer has been fantastic of late. If the Avs decide to let him keep rolling, could this be postseason redemption for Grubauer? Last season, he was with the Capitals, and was bad enough that he lost his starting position and then watched from the sidelines as Washington won the Cup without his help. If he buckles under the pressure again, Semyon Varlamov is at the ready.
Calgary Flames
What a time to be alive for long-suffering Calgary fans. The Flames finished with 50 wins and 107 points to top the division for the first time since 2005-06. They’re also sitting at the top of the conference for the first time since 1989-90, and are tied for second overall in the league with the Bruins with 107 points. Those kind of spectacular statistics are being rewarded with home-ice advantage in every round of these playoffs, with the one exception being if they play the top team in the league, the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Johnny Gaudreau is just one member of this team that has been on fire this season, leading his club with 99 points from 36 goals and 63 assists.
The only real question mark for the Flames is in the goaltending position. Mike Smith and David Rittich saw equal amounts of ice time during the regular season, so who should get the playoffs start? Mike Smith has more experience in the postseason, but when it comes to hard numbers, Rittich has been a little stronger in 2018-19.
The Flames will be looking for their first postseason win since 2015, having been swept by Anaheim in their last playoff appearance in 2017.
