Avalanche vs. Flames Prediction
The Calgary Flames had the best record in the Western Conference and enter the postseason with high hopes. Can Calgary open its quarterfinals series at home versus the Colorado Avalanche with a victory tonight?
Game Snapshot
15 Colorado Avalanche at 16 Calgary Flames
Thursday, April 11, 2019
Scotiabank Saddledome at 10PM ET
TV: NBCSN
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Flames are a -185 favorite on the moneyline. The Avalanche are a +160 underdog, while the over-under is set at 6 goals. As of Thursday afternoon, 76 percent of public bets are coming in on host Calgary. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for the latest updates.
Avs earn playoff spot in second-to-last game
Colorado earned a 3-2 win at home over Winnipeg in its penultimate game during the regular season to clinch a playoff spot. The Avalanche enter the postseason after going 38-30-14 with 90 pionts. Colorado is led by center Nathan MacKinnon as he accumulated 41 goals and 58 assists. Right winger Mikko Rantanen racked up 31 goals and 56 assists in 74 games, while left winger Gabriel Landeskog tallied 34 goals and 41 assists in 73 games. Semyon Varlamov received the majority of starts in net and went 20-19-9 with a 2.87 goals-against average plus a .909 save percentage.
Flames put it all together in 2018-19
After not qualifying for the postseason last year, Calgary was certainly not expected to finish the regular season with the best record in the Western Conference a season later. But the Flames did just that with a 50-25-7 record and 107 points. Calgary is led by left winger Johnny Gaudreau as he racked up 36 goals and 63 assists, while center Sean Monahan racked up 34 goals and 48 assists in 78 games. Center Elias Lindholm notched 27 goals and 51 assists over 81 games. Left winger Keith Tkachuk accounted for 34 goals and 43 assists in 80 games. Defenseman Mark Giordano added 17 goals and 57 assists in 78 games. Goaltending duties look to be going to Mike Smith (23-16-2, 2.72 GAA, .898 save pct.), although David Rittich (27-9-5, 2.61 GAA, .911 save pct.) had the better season and could get the nod quickly if Smith falters.
NHL Betting Trends
Colorado
The Avalanche are 8-3 in their last 11 games. Colorado is 34-75 in its last 109 road games.
Calgary
The Flames are 15-7 in their last 22 games. Calgary is 22-10 in its last 32 games as a home favorite.
Prediction:
I don’t put a lot of stock in Colorado being able to contain the Flames in this series, at least when the games are being played in Calgary. Look for the Flames to score at least four goals in what is a decisive victory in front of a playoff-hungry home crowd.
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NHL DAILY PREDICTION: CALGARY FLAMES -185