The Colorado Avalanche (1-0-0) and Calgary Flames (0-0-0) meet Thursday at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary. Puck drop is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Avalanche vs. Flames odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Avalanche opened with a 5-2 thumping of the hapless Chicago Blackhawks Wednesday at Ball Arena, enjoying success on the night it raised the 2022 Stanley Cup Final champion banner. Artturi Lekhonen and Valeri Nichushkin each scored a pair of power-play goals.
The Flames look to take advantage of the Avs in the 2nd end of a back-to-back, using an old friend to tip the scales in their favor. Calgary made a huge splash, signing Cup champ Nazem Kadri to a lucrative contract in the offseason.
Calgary will also see the debut of Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar, 2 key players acquired in a deal with the Florida Panthers for Matthew Tkachuk.
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Avalanche at Flames odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:41 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Avalanche +102 (bet $100 to win $102) | Flames -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Avalanche +1.5 (-240) | Flames -1.5 (+175)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -102 | U: -122)
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Avalanche at Flames projected goalies
Pavel Francouz (15-5-1, 2.55 GAA, .916 SV%, 2 SO in 2021-22) vs. Jacob Markstrom (37-15-9, 2.22 GAA, .922 SV%, 9 SO in 2021-22)
Francouz apparently lost the battle for the starting job to addition Alexandar Georgiev, although the holdover from last season’s team should see plenty of starts for the champs. He allowed just 1 G on 22 shots in a relief appearance last season against the Flames.
Markstrom was amazing at home last season, posting a 22-8-7 record, 2.17 GAA and .919 SV% with 5 SO. He faced the Avs just once last season, allowing only 2 G on 30 shots in a hard-luck loss where he received little support in a 2-1 loss.
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Avalanche at Flames picks and predictions
Prediction
Flames 4, Avalanche 3
Moneyline
The FLAMES (-125) made some bold offseason moves, as they try to challenge the Avalanche (+102) and other teams for the top of the Western Conference.
Calgary can make a big statement right out of the gate, and it will do just that in this marquee matchup.
Puck line/Against the spread
Avalanche +1.5 (-240) won’t go quietly into the night, and this should be a seesaw affair. If you’re looking for a little insurance, especially since the Avs are using a backup backstop in the 2nd end of a back-to-back, this is a little too expensive.
AVOID.
Over/Under
The OVER 6.5 (-102) is worth playing lightly, although Francouz starting doesn’t mean that the Avs will fall off much. Colorado did hit the Over Wednesday night, lighting the lamp 5 times while allowing just 2 goals. We should see a similar amount of goals in this one.
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