The Colorado Avalanche and the Calgary Flames square off at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Game 1 of the opening round of the NHL Playoffs. The action gets underway at 10 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 11, and fans at home are able to view the game live on NBC Sports Network.
Colorado Avalanche at Calgary Flames Odds
The Flames (-185) are being chosen as the favorites over the Avalanche (+160) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-110 over, -110 under).
Calgary is 50-32 straight up (SU) and has earned 6.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. That winning percentage, the NHL’s second-strongest so far in this young season, is a welcomed improvement compared to how the team performed during the 2017-18 season (37-45). Through 82 regular season matches, 41 of its games have gone over the total, while 37 have gone under and just four have pushed. This season, the team is 26-15 SU at home.
The Flames have converted on 19.0 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 19th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 79.8 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 24.9 saves per game with a .911 save percentage, David Rittich (28-17-5) has been the primary option in goal for the Flames this year. If the Flames decide to give him the night off, however, head coach Bill Peters might turn to Mike Smith (24-18-18 record, .898 save percentage, 2.72 goals against average).
Colorado has lost 13.7 units for moneyline bettors this year and is currently 38-44 straight up (SU). Through 82 regular season contests, 41 of its games have gone under the total, while 40 have gone over and just one has pushed. The Avalanche are 17-24 SU as the road team this season.
The Avalanche have scored on 22.0 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 25th overall and it’s successfully killed off 78.8 percent of all penalties.
Semyon Varlamov (2.87 goals against average and .909 save percentage) has been the main option in goal for Colorado. Varlamov is averaging 27.8 saves per game and owns a 20-29-9 record.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Calgary Flames Free Picks
Free Pick: SU Winner – Avalanche, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- For both of these teams, the total has gone over in three of their last five games.
- Colorado has managed 29.2 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Calgary has been attempting 36.4 shots per game over its last five at home.
- Five of Colorado’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 4-1 in those games.
- Colorado skaters registered 20.4 hits per game last season, while the Flames logged 20.0 hits per contest.
