Face-off: 2100 ET, 29/03/2022
Arena: Scotiabank Saddledome
Calgary and Colorado are familiar foes this month, having already met twice at Ball Arena, with the Flames winning 4-3 in overtime and then losing 3-0.
The top two teams in the Western Conference will be fired up for this series decider and another close encounter is surely on the cards.
We reckon 4.1 for a draw after 60 minutes is a value bet in our Calgary Flames vs Colorado Avalanche predictions.
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Calgary Flames Odds
Calgary are comfortably clear in the Pacific Division following back-to-back wins at this venue on Friday and Saturday.
They secured a 4-2 success versus Arizona and then prevailed 9-5 in a wild meeting with Edmonton.
The Flames were just 6-5 ahead against the Oilers after two crazy periods but then asserted their authority in the third.
Johnny Gaudreau had a career-high five assists, while Matthew Tkachuk had two goals and two assists among a number of multiple points scorers.
“That was a lot of fun,” beamed Gaudreau. “I’ve been here for a long time and I think this is the most competitive the Battle of Alberta has been since I’ve been here.
“We were excited to get going. Obviously, it was kind of a crazy game, back and forth, power plays, but it was nice to see a lot of guys get rewarded.
“A lot of guys scored and it was just a really good group effort, I think.”
This contest is expected to have more of a playoffs feel about it, though, and that should be reflected in the chances created.
Looking at the NHL odds, we feel 1.87 for under 6.5 goals in the game is a percentage call.
Colorado Avalanche Odds
Colorado are coming off a 3-2 overtime defeat at Minnesota, who are a distant second behind them in the Central Division.
The Avalanche came from behind to lead 2-1 halfway through the third period, with Nazem Kadri and Mikko Rantanen on target.
However, the Wild levelled things up and then scored 15 seconds into overtime to complete a sixth straight victory.
Head coach Jared Bednar was upbeat in defeat, stating: “I like the way our team played. I liked it a lot. I thought it was a good hockey game.
“I thought our checking game was really good and we didn’t give up a lot against a dangerous offensive team.
“We didn’t finish our chances, didn’t shoot the puck well, but otherwise it was a good game for our guys.”
Rantanen added: “I think we outplayed them most of the game. We had a lot of chances in the first two that we didn’t capitalise on.”
Colorado have been defensively sound during a decent 5-1-1 stretch and still head the betting in the outright Stanley Cup odds.
We just favour the visitors here and 12.0 for a 3-2 scoreline to go their way this time is added to our NHL predictions.
Additional stats
Last result:
CALGARY 9-5 Edmonton
Minnesota 3-2 COLORADO (OT)
Season head-to-head: Colorado 3-0 Calgary, Colorado 3-4 Calgary
