Flames vs. Avalanche Prediction
The Calgary Flames entered the playoffs with the most points in the Western Conference, but currently trail the Colorado Avalanche 2-1 in the quarterfinals. Can Calgary earn an important road win tonight to get back on track?
Game Snapshot
49 Calgary Flames at 50 Colorado Avalanche
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Pepsi Center at 10:08PM ET
TV: NBCSN
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the moneyline is set at a pick’em with the Flames and the Avalanche both listed at -110. The over-under is set at 6 goals. As of Wednesday afternoon, 56 percent of public bets are being placed on visiting Calgary. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for up-to-date information.
Flames steamrolled in Game 3
Calgary lost by a count of 6-2 in Game 3 Monday night at Colorado to fall behind 2-1 in the quarterfinals series. The Avalanche went ahead 3-0 through one period and added a goal in the second to go up 4-0, from which the Flames could not recover. Calgary finally got on the board with 11:26 remaining in the second period on a Sam Bennett power play goal on assists from Rasmus Andersson and Mikael Backlund. The Flames proceeded to surrender a goal later in the second and another goal in the third period to go down 6-1. T.J. Brodie quickly got one back only 1:09 into the third on assists from Noah Hanifin and Sean Monahan, but Calgary could draw no closer. Mike Smith surrendered six goals on 56 shots in the losing effort.
Avs roll behind MacKinnon
Colorado grabbed a four-goal lead in the second period and cruised the rest of the way Monday night in a 6-2 home victory over Calgary in Game 3. Nathan MacKinnon scored a pair of power play goals at the 11:34 and 6:26 marks of the first period to put the Avalanche up 2-0. The first goal was assisted by Tyson Barrie and J.T. Compher, while the second came on assists from Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog. Cale Makar scored a goal with 3:58 left in the first in what was his NHL debut after being recently signed by Colorado. MacKinnon and Alexander Kerfoot assisted on the tally. Matt Nieto pushed the Avs’ advantage to 4-0 with 12:09 left in the second period with a shorthanded goal assisted by Ian Cole and Erik Johnson. After the Flames finally got on the board, Rantanen made it 5-1 with 7:02 remaining in the second on a goal assisted by Colin Wilson. Johnson made it 6-1 in the first minute of the third period on assists courtesy of Cole and Nieto. Calgary got one goal back 15 seconds later, but ultimately could draw no closer. Philipp Grubauer registered 27 saves on 29 shots to guide the Avalanche to the victory.
NHL Betting Trends
Calgary
The Flames are 9-3 in the last 12 meetings. The over is 3-1-1 in the last five meetings.
Colorado
The Avalanche are 1-4 in the last five home meetings. The home team is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
Prediction:
Calgary has the talent to get it done, but goaltending is a bit of an issue. Sure, Smith was peppered with 56 shots but he saved under 90 percent of them which is right in line with his season averages. While the Flames might be the better team, the Avs are at home and have a red-hot MacKinnon leading the way. I am taking the hosts to win another one tonight to put Calgary fully on its heels.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: COLORADO AVALANCHE -110