Calgary Flames vs Colorado Avalanche Betting Picks

In case the Oilers needed a reminder of who holds the balance of power in the Western Conference, Colorado delivered one last night with a 2-1 shootout win in Edmonton. Usually, it's a tall order for NHL road teams to lace up on back-to-back nights, but the Avs have been an exception to the rule. Since 2019, Colorado has boasted a 29-14 (.674) record in the second of back-to-back road games with no rest—best in the NHL. Calgary limped home from its recent 1-4-1 road trip and managed a 4-1 upset over Utah on Sunday, but they are only 13-19 this year off a win. Colorado has owned this series, going 17-2-2 the past seven years, including an impressive 8-1 record at the Saddledome. Assistant coaches Nolan Pratt and Dave Hakstol are in charge of the Avs while HC Bednar recovers after being struck by an errant puck against Vegas on Saturday, and Colorado still has more than enough grit and firepower to handle Calgary's depleted lineup. Take the Avalanche. 

Colorado clinched the top seed in the Western Conference on Tuesday, defeating St. Louis 3-1, and so the Avalanche could suffer a slight letdown in tonight's matchup with Calgary, especially if they partied a little too hard. Colorado has lost six of its past seven home games and has scored just seven goals in three games. Calgary defeated Anaheim 5-3 on Saturday before losing 4-3 in overtime at Dallas. Mackenzie Blackwood has lost his past three starts for the Avalanche while allowing 12 goals on 68 shots, including an 8-6 loss to lowly Vancouver. Blackwood is the likely starter tonight, and he is 9-7-0 at home this season. Take the Flames. 

Calgary has won four of six, but the Flames can't afford any more losses if they hope to make the postseason. The Flames are in double revenge after losing the first two meetings this season. They come off a tough 3-2 overtime loss to Edmonton on Saturday when Dustin Wolf stopped 26 of 29 shots. Wolf is likely to start tonight, and he is 24-15-6 with a 2.67 goals-against average and three shutouts this season. Calgary has gone UNDER eight of 12 road games, and Colorado has stayed UNDER four of six against Western Conference teams. The UNDER is 14-3 in Calgary's past 17 games as an underdog of at least +201, and it has gone UNDER four straight on the road versus opponents with .600 home winning percentages. Colorado's four-game win streak snapped in a 2-1 home loss to St. Louis on Saturday. There is huge value in the road dog in this matchup. Take the Flames and the UNDER.

Colorado is on a 10-4 run. The offense is sixth in goals scored (3.32 per game), 12th on the power play, and eighth in shooting percentage. The defense is 13th in goals given up. While Colorado is working on two days of rest, Calgary is working on one day after a 4-3 loss at home to Vancouver as a -140 favorite. Calgary's offense is last in the NHL in goals scored (2.56 per game) and 31st in shooting percentage, while the defense is 26th in penalty killing. The Flames are on a 6-11 slide. Play Colorado.