The Pepsi Center will be hosting a Western Conference showdown as the Colorado Avalanche welcome the visiting Calgary Flames. The action will get started at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 25 and it can be seen live on CBC Sports.
Calgary Flames vs. Colorado Avalanche Odds
Calgary is 12-9 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 1.6 units this season. Through 21 regular season matches, 11 of its games have gone over the total, while nine have gone under and just one has pushed. This 2017-18 Flames team is 6-4 SU on the road.
Calgary has converted on 21.6 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. Additionally, its penalty kill is ranked 31st overall, and the teams successfully killed off only 72.6 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Flames have been penalized 4.3 times per game in the 2017-18 season, and 5.0 per game over its last five road outings. The team’s had to kill penalties a whopping 18.2 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Averaging 30.0 saves per game with a .925 save percentage, Mike Smith (12-7-1) has been the top option in goal for Calgary this season. If head coach Glen Gulutzan decides to rest him, however, Calgary may turn to Eddie Lack (1-3 record, .813 save percentage, 5.29 goals against average).
The visiting Flames have relied on Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan this season. Gaudreau (31 points) is up to 10 goals and 21 assists, and has recorded multiple points in 10 different games. Monahan has 12 goals and 10 assists to his nameand has logged a point in 14 games.
On the other side of the ice, Colorado is 11-10 straight up (SU) and has earned 5.2 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 21 regular season matches, 14 of its games have gone over the total, while six have gone under and none have pushed. This year, the team is 7-2 SU at home.
The Avalanche have converted on just 18.2 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 27th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 76.3 percent of all opponent power plays.
Avalanche players have been called for penalties 4.5 times per game in total this season, 4.0 per game over their past five match ups total, and 4.2 per game over their last five at home. The teams been forced to defend opponent power plays just 8.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Semyon Varlamov (30.2 saves per game) has been the top option in goal for the Avalanche. Varlamov has seven wins, five losses, and one overtime loss and has maintained a fairly-weak .903 save percentage and 3.23 goals against average this season.
Nathan MacKinnon (seven goals, 18 assists) will pace the offensive counter for the Avs.
Calgary Flames at Colorado Avalanche Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Avalanche, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- Calgary is 2-0 in games decided by a shootout this season while Colorado is 1-1 in shootouts.
- The total has gone over in four of Colorado’s last five outings.
