Calgary Flames vs. Colorado Avalanche Prediction, NHL Odds
Thursday will mark the second time the Flames and Avalanche will have played in Denver in just 10 days.
Last week’s game was already fairly inconsequential for both teams. Since then, Colorado has clinched the Central division and Western Conference. For Calgary, it was their first of three losses in four games, pushing them higher in the draft lottery. However, the strong recent form of the Flames and incentive for the Avalanche to enter the playoffs on a high note give this game some intrigue.
Flames vs. Avalanche NHL Betting Odds
As they would be with just about any team in the NHL, the Avalanche are the favourites in this game. They are -325 to win and -130 to cover a -1.5 puck line. The Flames are +260 outright and +105 to cover +1.5 goals. Over 6.0 goals is -125 and the under is +105.
Although the Avalanche have just one win in their last seven games played at home, they have won seven out of their last 10 games. That one win at home, by the way, was a 9-2 route of this Flames team. Calgary has an uphill battle once again.
Calgary Flames
The Flames have had as respectable of a season as any draft lottery contender could have. They’ve had some low-lows. But they have largely made for a formidable opponent this season. Despite having nothing meaningful to play for, Calgary is 6-2-2 in their last 10 games.
Granted, three out of their four losses during that stretch have come in their last four games. However, even after getting their doors blown off by Colorado, Calgary beat Anaheim and took Dallas beyond regulation – both of which are playoff-bound. The Flames are the 30th out of 32 teams in the NHL, but are still making teams earn it.
Colorado Avalanche
What can be said about this Avalanche team that has not already been said this season? They have been the best team in hockey wire-to-wire and will cement that with the President’s Trophy, potentially in this game. The league’s top seed and home-ice advantage all throughout the playoffs is all that this team has yet to clinch. They will be anxious to do so on Thursday.
The Avalanche both score the most and allow the least goals per game in the NHL. For the better part of three years, they have been nearly unbeatable at home. However, that has not been the case in the past month. If the Avalanche are going to make a deep postseason run, they need to take care of business at home. Look for them to come out with some urgency to reverse negative home trends and momentum entering the playoffs.
NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Flames vs. Avalanche?
Although the Flames have been good, it would be nothing more than a hope to take them here. Even in their worst form this season, Colorado’s ceiling makes them a near impossible fade. Thursday night is no exception.
The Avalanche have already proven to be a tough matchup for the Flames, especially in Denver, as evident by a 9-2 drumming just last week. It may not be a seven-goal difference again. But not near enough has changed for Calgary to have any appeal here. The Avalanche are the better team and have incentive to lock up at least a point. They should go beyond that with a convincing 4-1 regulation win.
