The Calgary Flames (27-20-12) travel to meet the Colorado Avalanche (32-19-5) Saturday at Ball Arena in Denver. Puck drop is scheduled for 10 p.m. (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Flames vs. Avalanche odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Flames squandered a 3-1 lead in Vegas Thursday night, falling 4-3 in overtime. The Flames have won just twice in the past 6 games overall, going 2-2-2 during the span. The Over has cashed in 6 of the past 7 games overall, too.
The Avalanche are starting to round into championship form after some mediocre results for most of the season. Colorado has won 4 in a row, while posting 18 total goals, or 4.5 goals per game (GPG) during the span. However, they’ll likely be without D Cale Makar. He just resumed skating after suffering 2 concussions in a quick window recently.
The last time these teams played, Colorado won 4-1 in Calgary Jan. 18 as the Under connected. This is the 3rd and final regular-season meeting, and the only one scheduled in Denver.
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Flames at Avalanche odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:10 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Flames +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Avalanche -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Flames +1.5 (-240) | Avalanche -1.5 (+175)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +105 | U: -125)
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Flames at Avalanche projected goalies
Jacob Markstrom (15-14-7, 2.93 GAA, .889 SV%) vs. Alexandar Georgiev (24-12-4, 2.68 GAA, .918 SV%, 2 SO)
Markstrom has been quite erratic lately, allowing 4 or more goals in 4 of the past 6 outings. He is 2-1-2 with a 3.37 GAA and .862 SV% in 5 starts in the month of February. Markstrom is 1-1-0 with a 3.05 GAA and .891 SV% in 2 starts against the Avs this season, too.
Georgiev has picked up wins in 3 straight outings, while going 4-1-1 with a 3.09 GAA and .914 SV% in 6 starts in February. He has won 8 of his past 10 starts, too, yielding 3 or fewer goals in 8 or those outings.
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Flames at Avalanche picks and predictions
Prediction
Avalanche 4, Flames 2
Moneyline
The AVALANCHE (-125) is a solid play on home ice against the skidding Flames (+105), especially since Colorado is playing perhaps its best hockey of the entire season.
The Flames are 3-7 in the past 10 games inside the Central Division, while going 1-7 in the past 8 games in the third of a 3-in-4 (three games in four days) situation.
Puck line/Against the spread
The AVALANCHE -1.5 (+175) are worth a look on the puck line.
Colorado is averaging 4.5 goals per game across the past 4 outings, and it has cashed in each of its past 2 games as a favorite on the puck line. It also covered on the puck in the most-recent meeting with the Flames Jan. 18 in a 4-1 win.
Over/Under
The UNDER 6.5 (-125) is the lean in the Mile High City.
The Over is 6-1 in the past 7 games overall for the Flames, but the Under is 9-2-1 in the past 12 games in the 3rd game of a 3-in-4 situation.
The Under is 27-13-4 in the past 44 games for the Avalanche, while going 11-4 in the past 15 games when working on no rest, while going 5-2-1 in the past 8 games against Pacific Division foes.
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