Colorado Avalanche at Calgary Flames odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday’s Colorado Avalanche at Calgary Flames odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Colorado Avalanche (22-17-3) and Calgary Flames (21-15-9) meet Wednesday at Scotiabank Saddledome. 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 cashed as -198 home favorites Monday with a 6-3 win vs. the Detroit Red Wings. C Nathan MacKinnon finished with 4 points (2 goals, 2 assists) and RW Valeri Nichushkin (ankle) returned to the lineup after missing the past 3 weeks. Colorado has outscored opponents 13-3 in its last 2 games.

The Flames lost as -137 road favorites Monday as the Nashville Predators edged Calgary 2-1. The Flames went 0-for-4 on the power play and wrapped up their 5-game road trip with a 2-3 record. Calgary is 1-4 vs. the Avalanche in the last 5 meetings at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Stream the NHL all season on ESPN+, with your team’s out-of-market games, exclusive games, originals and more. Get ESPN+ now!

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 1:35 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Avalanche +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Flames -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
  • Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Avalanche +1.5 (-230) | Flames -1.5 (+170)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +115 | U: -135)

Catch the excitement and bet with Tipico

Double Down, Ohio! Deposit $200, Get $250. Bet now!

In Colorado and New Jersey, claim your 100% Deposit Match up to $250 now. Bet now! 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions.

Avalanche at Flames projected goalies

Alexandar Georgiev (16-11-3, 2.75 GAA, .914 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Jacob Markstrom (13-11-5, 2.81 GAA, .894 SV%)

Georgiev has faced the Flames once in his career on Mar. 15, 2019, allowing 5 goals on 32 shots in a 5-1 loss as a member of the New York Rangers. The Avalanche netminder has the 10th-lowest GAA this season amongst goaltenders who have made at least 20 starts.

Markstrom has faced the Avalanche once this season, allowing 3 goals on 25 shots in a 5-3 win on Oct. 13. Markstrom is 7-3-1 in 11 career games vs. the Avalanche, allowing 27 goals on 345 shots, good for a 2.41 GAA and .922 SV%.

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

Avalanche at Flames picks and predictions

Prediction

Avalanche 4, Flames 3

Moneyline

BET AVALANCHE (+115).

Colorado has won 8 of the last 11 meetings vs. Calgary and has played even better at Scotiabank Saddledome. After a 5-game skid from Dec. 27-Jan. 5, the Avalanche have won 3 of 5 games and have outscored opponents 22-13. Back the defending Stanley Cup champions to continue trending upward.

Puck line/Against the spread

PASS.

Avalanche +1.5 (-230) is a safe pick, but there is no need to buy the extra 1.5 goals when Colorado should win straight up. Bet the moneyline or total instead.

Over/Under

BET OVER 6.5 (+115).

The Over is 4-1-1 in Colorado’s last 6 games vs. teams with a losing record and 5-2 in Calgary’s last 7 after scoring 2 or fewer goals in its previous contest. Look for Colorado’s offense to continue scoring at a high rate and help the Over hit for a 3rd straight game Wednesday.

Want action on this matchup or any other NHL games? Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, SportsbookWire’s official sportsbook partner in OH, CO and NJ. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Corey Scott on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1369]

Colorado Avalanche at Calgary Flames odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Thursday’s Colorado Avalanche at Calgary Flames odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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.

Stream the NHL all season on ESPN+, with your team’s out-of-market games, exclusive games, originals and more. Get ESPN+ now!

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)

Claim your risk-free bet up to $350. Catch the excitement and start betting with Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Bet now!

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.

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

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.

Want action on this game or any other NHL contests? Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, SportsbookWire’s official sportsbook partner in CO and NJ. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1369]

Colorado Avalanche at Calgary Flames odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Tuesday’s Colorado Avalanche at Calgary Flames odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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.

[tipico]

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).

Watch: ESPN+ has become a must-have for hockey fans. Get access to more than 1,000 out-of-market NHL games, 75 weekly national games, and more all season. Sign up for ESPN+ now!

Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]