The revamp and reigning champion Colorado Avalanche visit Alberta, giving the Calgary Flames their first taste of competition. The Avs played a late game at home on Wednesday, so the trip may have a negative impact on their performance.
The revamp The Calgary Flames begin their campaign on Thursday night when the Stanley Cup winners visit Calgary.
The Colorado Avalanche dominated the Chicago Blackhawks in their home opener against the Blackhawks on Wednesday night, winning 5-2. In the resounding victory, Valeri Nichushkin scored twice while Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar both contributed two assists.
Along with fellow newcomers Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar, Flames forward Nazem Kadri takes the field for the first time against his previous team in an effort to make an early impression. Check out our NHL choices and predictions to see whether they have a response for the Avalanche.
Picks and Predictions Avalanche vs Flames
At the Scotiabank Saddledome, the fourth-best attack faces the sixth-best offensive from the previous season. During the 2021–22 season, the Flames averaged 3.55 goals per game while the Avs were even more productive, scoring 3.76 goals per game.
The Avs are loaded with great offensive skill even without Kadri and 22-goal scorer Andre Burakovsky, who signed with Seattle. Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado’s captain, will be out for the match on Thursday, which will be critical for the visiting squad.
The Flames are anticipated to have one of the top defensive groups in the NHL, led by Weegar, Noah Hanifin, Rasmus Andersson, and Chris Tanev, so don’t anticipate a particularly low-scoring contest between these two potent offensive groups.
Although the performance of Huberdeau and Kadri in their inaugural campaign with their new teams is unknown, both off-season signings are great players who ought to develop the team chemistry necessary to succeed. The crucial question is how long that will take.
The opening game between these two potent offensive sides has more than 4.5 goals written all over it, even if they aren’t blazing at full strength. The Avs should be far more worn out than the Flames despite the season having just been one night old. They traveled to Calgary in the early morning.
Due to the Avs’ overnight travel plans, Calgary should have a minor advantage.
In addition, Jared Bednar will almost certainly turn to Pavel Francouz after Alexandar Georgiev earned the start against the Blackhawks.
Jacob Markstrom’s presence on the opposite end of the ice is unknown after missing Wednesday’s practice due to sickness. The Flames may have to go without the Vezina Trophy winner for their first game.
Even if Markstrom plays, Over 4.5 goals is a great bet. The Flames, who have won four of their last five home openers, should be boosted by the home fans and find a way to beat a red-eyed Avalanche squad.
My best bet | Flames to win and Over 4.5 total goals +120 at OKBET
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Moneyline Analysis for Avalanche vs Flames
Last season, Colorado won two of three games versus the Flames, including the sole game in Calgary. Last season, the Avs were 8-3 in the second of two back-to-back games and 5-0 versus Pacific Division opponents, both impressive numbers for Flames fans.
However, the Flames had the second-best home record previous season, while Colorado had the 10th-best away record.
While playing without Landeskog didn’t hurt the Avs against the Blackhawks, who are anticipated to be one of the Western Conference’s bottom feeders, the captain’s absence should have a more noticeable detrimental impact against a vastly stronger Flames squad.
Over/Under analysis for Avalanche vs Flames
Both clubs have potent attacking weapons. Last season, the Avalanche and Flames were among the top in a number of offensive statistics, including goals differential over predicted and goals for above expected.
The Flames finished fifth in the former (23.24) and third in the latter (28.28), while Calgary ended sixth in the latter (15.06) and Colorado finished third again (24.21).
The Avalanche ended fourth in 5-on-5 goals per 60 minutes (three), while the Flames were seventh with 2.92. Despite the fact that a new season has begun, both clubs still have a plethora of attacking weapons at their disposal.
Expect six or more goals from these two attacking juggernauts.
Betting trend to know for Avalanche vs Flames
The Avalanche have a recent record against clubs from the Pacific Division of 13-3 in their previous 16 games and 38-15 in their past 53 games. More NHL betting trends for Avalanche vs. Flames may be found here.
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