The Pepsi Center is playing host to an intriguing showdown as the Colorado Avalanche face off against the visiting Calgary Flames. It’s the third and final time that the two clubs will go at it in the regular season. The opening face-off takes place at 9 p.m. ET on Monday, December 9, and fans at home will be able to view this Western Conference matchup live on Altitude Sports & Entertainment.
Calgary Flames at Colorado Avalanche Odds
Moneyline and Over/Under (O/U) odds have not yet been posted for this matchup.
The Avalanche are 19-10 straight-up (SU) and have netted 9.9 units for moneyline bettors this season. That winning percentage, the NHL’s fourth-strongest so far this season, is a welcomed improvement compared to what the team managed during the 2018-19 season (38-44). Through 29 regular season matches, 14 of its games have gone over the total, while 13 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team’s 8-4 SU at home this season.
Colorado has converted on 19.1 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 22nd overall, and it’s successfully killed off 76.8 percent of all penalties.
Colorado, as a collective unit, has been penalized 4.1 times per game overall this season, and 3.2 per game over its past five games. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 8.0 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, in total.
With a .914 save percentage and 27.3 saves per game, Philipp Grubauer (11-7-2) has been the best goalkeeper for the Avalanche this year. If they choose to give him the night off, however, the team may turn to Pavel Francouz (8-3-3 record, .931 save percentage, 2.24 goals against average).
The Avs will continue to rely on offensive production from Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. MacKinnon (45 points) has produced 18 goals and 27 assists and has recorded multiple points 13 times this year. Makar has eight goals and 20 assists to his name and has notched at least one point in 20 games.
On the other side of the ice, Calgary is 15-16 straight up (SU) and has lost 4.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of 19 of its outings have gone under the total, while 10 have gone over and just two have pushed. Calgary’s 6-11 SU as the visiting team this season.
Calgary has converted on 17.5 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 11th overall and it’s successfully killed off 84.1 percent of all penalties.
Calgary’s skaters have been penalized 4.2 times per game in total this season, 3.8 per game over their last five games total, and 3.6 per game over their last five on the road. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays just 7.8 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
David Rittich (29.0 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Calgary. Rittich has 13 wins, 11 losses, and four OT losses to his credit, while registering a .914 save percentage and 2.69 goals against average this year.
Matthew Tkachuk (11 goals, 14 assists) and Sean Monahan (eight goals, 16 assists) are the top point-getters for Calgary and will pace the attack for the visiting Flames.
Calgary Flames vs. Colorado Avalanche Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Avalanche, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- For both of these teams, the under has hit in three of their past five matchups.
- Calgary has managed 32.8 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Colorado has been attempting 39.4 shots per game over its last five home outings.
- Colorado has allowed 2.7 goals per game overall this season, but is giving up only 1.7 per match up over its six-game winning streak.
- Over Calgary’s last ten games, four of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 1-3 in those games).
- Calgary skaters recorded 16.3 hits per game last season, while the Avalanche posted 21.9 hits per contest.
