The defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche will face the Calgary Flames tonight in a highly anticipated Western Conference matchup. This contest looks to be one of the most interesting NHL games on the schedule this Tuesday.
The Flames beat the Avs in their first game 5-3 in October, and the Avalanche will be looking to improve on their 22-17-3 record to climb back into playoff contention. The Flames have a similar record at 21-15-9 and are also on the outside looking in at the playoff picture. Here is a glance at the Avalanche vs Flames game prediction for this contest.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Calgary Flames Odds
Colorado Avalanche vs. Calgary Flames Information
Colorado Avalanche (22-17-3) vs. Calgary Flames (21-15-9)
Time: Wednesday, January 18, 2023, 9:30 pm ET
Location of the game: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
How to watch: NHLPP | ESPN+ | Regional Broadcast Partners
Colorado Avalanche vs. Calgary Flames Betting Preview
Colorado Avalanche Preview
The Avalanche have shown inconsistent play throughout this season. The loss of several key free agents in the offseason, including Flames center Nazem Kadri, has seriously affected Colorado’s play. They have also lost key players to injury for long stretches this season.
Despite getting top scorer Nathan McKinnon back from injury, the Avs’ offense has been up and down for most of the year. However, their last two games, a 7-0 rout of the Ottawa Senators and a 6-3 win in Detroit against the Red Wings, do not overshadow losses to the last-place Chicago Blackhawks and a 4-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks.
On the injury front, Colorado features several key players on the NHL injury report. Centers Denis Malgin and Andrew Cogliano are out, and backup goaltender Pavel Francouz is also out with a lower-body injury. The most significant loss, however, has been captain Gabriel Landeskog. Landeskog has been out with a knee injury for most of the season.
On the bright side, the Avalanche have been getting solid goaltending from Alexander Georgiev. Colorado acquired Georgiec in an offseason trade from the New York Rangers to bolster the net after losing Darcy Kuemper to free agency.
Calgary Flames Preview
The Calgary Flames pulled off one of the offseason’s biggest moves by trading rising star Matthew Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers in exchange for forward Jonathan Huberdeau and defenseman McKenzie Weeger. However, the trade has not translated into the Flames climbing into a playoff spot.
Despite adding former Avalanche 90-point man Nazem Kadri, goals have been hard to come by. Calgary Flames team stats show the club ranked 16th in the league in goals, with Kadri leading all players with 17. Unfortunately, the Flames’ power play hasn’t fared much better, sitting 25th with a 19.4% conversion percentage.
The Flames’ injury report shows winger Brett Riche, defenseman Dennis Gilbert, and Chris Tanev are out of action. The loss to two defensemen has thinned out Calgary’s blue line. Nevertheless, injuries haven’t stopped Calgary from trying to keep pace in the NHL standings. The Flames have won two of their last three, including wins against the Dallas Stars and the St. Louis Blues.
The bright spot for the Flames when making an Avalanche vs Flames game prediction has been their defensive play despite critical injuries. The team has posted a 2.82 goals-against average this season. That trend will need to continue for the Flames to get back into playoff contention.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Calgary Flames Picks and Prediction
This matchup looks to be a highly interesting one on tonight’s NHL schedule. Expect a tough, hard-hitting contest between two clubs looking to crawl back into the playoff picture.
With the Flames being one of the more formidable NHL teams on the Colorado Avalanche schedule, the defending champs will look to get their game going.
The Flames have been one of the most exciting teams over the last two seasons. They will look to take the game to the Avs early. Nazem Kadri will be looking to get on the scoresheet quickly against his former club.
Both teams have perennial NHL player stats leaders in Kadri and McKinnon. They also have solid goaltending and a tough defense. In the toughest NHL pick of the night, the Flames should top the Avs, as they are the odds-on favorites to win at home.
Bettors looking for an upset can look to the Avs when making an Avalanche vs Flames game prediction. However, the two clubs are trending in different directions. So, Calgary looks like the safe bet for NHL picks in this contest.
- Final Score Prediction: 4-2
- Pick: Calgary Flames (-134)
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