In a battle of first-place teams, the Central-leading Colorado Avalanche (46-14-6) are north of the border to face the Pacific-leading Calgary Flames (40-17-8) Tuesday at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Puck drop is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we look at the Avalanche vs. Flames odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
This is a matchup of the 2nd-best offense in hockey (Colorado, 3.8 goals per game), and the 2nd-best defense in hockey (Calgary, 2.5 goals against per game). The teams split their first two meetings this season in Colorado with the Flames winning 4-3 in a shootout March 5, and the Avs winning 3-0 eight days later.
The Flames whipped the Edmonton Oilers 9-5 Saturday and have won 2 in a row and 3 of 4. Colorado has alternated wins and losses in the last 4 and are coming off a 3-2 overtime loss in Minnesota Sunday.
Avalanche at Flames odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:27 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Avalanche +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Flames -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Avalanche +1.5 (-230) | Flames -1.5 (+170)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -110 | U: -135)
Avalanche at Flames projected goalies
Darcy Kuemper (30-9-3, 2.41 GAA, .923 SV%, 5 SO) vs. Jacob Markstrom (31-12-7, 2.16 GAA, .925 SV%, 9 SO)
Kuemper was pulled early in the second period against the Flames March 5 after he allowed 3 goals. The Avs rallied back but lost 4-3. It was a different story a week later as he stopped 46 shots in the 3-0 shutout. Despite a stretch where he allowed 10 goals in 3 games, he has a 2.18 GAA this month.
Markstrom, who leads the league in shutouts, didn’t face the Avalanche in either of the first 2 matchups this season. He allowed 5 goals to Edmonton Saturday, but the Flames cruised to a 9-5 win. He has a 2.30 GAA this month despite two 5-goal games against him.
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Avalanche at Flames odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Flames 3, Avalanche 2
Money line
Markstrom is 20-5-6 with a 2.02 GAA at home this season. The Avs not seeing him thus far is also a bit of a Calgary advantage.
The Flames are 21-6-6 on home ice, and the Avs haven’t been the same team in March. Colorado is 7-6 this month after entering March with just 8 losses on the season. Plus, Calgary is 7-1 in its last eight against Central teams.
There’s enough substance here to LEAN FLAMES (-140).
Against the spread
In playoff hockey, defense wins. The Flames have the means to stifle. The Avalanche averaged just 3.1 goals per game in their last 10 games, down from their 3.8 average.
This should be a close one. It’s mighty chalky, but AVALANCHE +1.5 (-230) is the way to go as this should be a tightly contested battle.
Over/Under
The first matchup went Over, but it needed overtime. This late in the season, it’s a better strategy to side with the Under as things tighten up on the ice.
The Under is 3-0-1 in the last four meetings between these two in Calgary. The Under is 10-1-1 in Colorado’s last 12 against a team with a winning record.
All things considered, let’s roll with the UNDER 6.5 (-135).
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