Calgary Flames vs. Colorado Avalanche Prediction, NHL Odds
-
Nik Kowalski
Calgary’s three points back of the Avalanche, but Colorado has three extra games in hand. The Avalanche have their eyes on more than a Wild-Card spot though. A four-game win streak has Colorado three points back of first in the tight Central Division, a division they’re currently fourth in.
Saturday’s a back-to-back spot for Colorado, who had a convincing 5-1 victory at Winnipeg last night. The Flames have been off since Thursday and are wrapping up a three-game road trip in which they are currently 1-0-1.
Puck drop at Ball Arena starts at 10 p.m. EST, with the Avalanche a -147 moneyline favourite at home and the total at six on the NHL odds.
Flames vs. Avalanche NHL Betting Odds
The Avalanche have a single regulation loss in their last 10 meetings with the Flames, winning seven of those contests too. For this season, Saturday’s the rubber match between these two Western foes. Calgary took their season opener 5-3 against the Avs, and Colorado got revenge on January 18 in a 4-1 win with both contests played in Calgary.
Four straight Flames road games have finished over the total, and the over is 3-0-1 in Colorado’s last four home outings. The Avalanche haven’t been that dominant on home ice though, going 14-9-4 on the season.
Calgary Flames
A blown 3-1 lead at Vegas cost the Flames a valuable second point Thursday. The overtime loss was Calgary’s league-leading 12th “loser point,” and a league-high 10 have come on the road. For a team that’s a couple points out of a playoff position, not being able to win in extra time is currently the difference in Calgary’s season.
Mikael Backlund scored in the loss and now has goals in four consecutive contests, and five goals and seven assists this month. Jonathan Huberdeau scored in the loss, his first tally since January 26.
Backup Dan Vladar started back-to-back nights for the Flames on Wednesday and Thursday. Starter Jacob Markstrom, who hasn’t been great this season, is expected to man the crease at Colorado.
Colorado Avalanche
Last night Nathan MacKinnon scored his 20th goal this season 19 seconds in, and Colorado didn’t look back. After 20 minutes the Avalanche led 4-1 with five shots on net and then cruised to a 5-1 victory. Alexander Georgiev made 26 saves in the win, meaning it’s likely Jonas Johannson’s crease Saturday versus Calgary. Johansson has played in 33 career NHL games, one coming this season and has an .883 save percentage and 3.41 goals against average.
With two points in Friday’s win, MacKinnon remained the team’s leading scorer with 67 points in 44 games. MacKinnon has multiple points in six consecutive games. Mikko Rantanen, who’s one point behind the team lead, has goals in three straight games and a team-high 36 this year.
