Avalanche vs Flames Prediction 4/9/26 NHL Picks Today

In this article we will formulate an Avalanche vs Flames prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, April 9th at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Colorado Avalanche Betting Preview

The Colorado Avalanche are 51-16-10 this season after they defeated the Blues by a score of 3-1 in their last game. Colorado scored the first three goals in this game and they were able to pick up a relatively easy victory. The Avalanche out shot St. Louis by a total of 37-19, won 54.5% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Colorado got goals from Necas and Nichushkin (2), while Wedgewood stopped 18 out of 19 shots, which was a .947 save percentage.

Prior to that game, Colorado lost to the Blues by a score of 3-2, but did beat the Stars by a score of 2-0 before that. The Avalanche have alternated wins and losses over their last seven games and they are currently first in the Central standings with 112 points. Colorado has scored 3.73 goals per game and they have allowed 2.48 goals against per game, while also going 17.6% on the power play and 84.2% on the penalty kill this season. Nathan MacKinnon has led Colorado with 51 goals and 72 assists, while Martin Necas has added 37 goals and 58 assists. The projected starting goalie for Colorado is Mackenzie Blackwood, who is 21-10-1 with a 2.58 goals against average and an .899 save percentage this season. 

Calgary Flames Betting Preview

The Calgary Flames are 32-36-9 this year after they lost to the Stars in overtime by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Calgary led 3-1 in the third period, but they allowed two quick goals and ended up losing in OT. The Flames were out shot by a total of 25-20, won 38.0% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Calgary got goals from Farabee, Sharangovich, and Parekh, while Cooley stopped 21 out of 25 shots, which was an .840 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Calgary defeated the Ducks by a score of 5-3, but lost to the Golden Knights by a score of 6-3 before that. The Flames have lost three of their last four games and they are currently seventh in the Pacific standings with 73 points. Calgary has scored 2.57 goals per game and they have allowed 3.17 goals against per game, while also going 16.6% on the power play and 79.6% on the penalty kill this season. Mikael Backlund has led Calgary with 16 goals and 25 assists, while Morgan Frost has added 21 goals and 20 assists. The projected starting goalie for Calgary is Dustin Wolf, who is 22-27-3 with a 3.09 goals against average and an .895 save percentage this year. 

Why the Colorado Avalanche will win

• The Flames have lost 11 of their last 12 road games against Central Division opponents.
• The Avalanche have won eight of their last nine games against the Flames.
• The Flames have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight road games after coming off overtime.
• The home team has covered the puck line in nine of the Flames’ last 11 games.
• The Avalanche have won the first period in each of their last seven games against the Flames following a road win.

Why the Calgary Flames will win

• The Avalanche have lost six of their last seven games as home favorites.
• The road team has won 11 of the Avalanche’s last 12 games.
• The Avalanche have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight home games.
• The road team has covered the puck line in each of the Avalanche’s last four games.
• The Avalanche have lost the third period in each of their last five home games following a road win.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Flames’ last five games have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Each of the Avalanche’s last six Thursday home games have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Seven of the last eight Thursday games at Ball Arena have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Avalanche’s last eight night games.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Flames’ last seven games.

Colorado Avalanche Player Prop Facts

• Nathan MacKinnon has scored at least one goal in seven of the Avalanche’s last eight home games against the Flames.
• Brock Nelson has recorded at least one assist in each of the Avalanche’s last five games against Pacific Division opponents.

Calgary Flames Player Prop Facts

• John Beecher has scored a goal in three of his four previous road appearances against the Avalanche.
• Matthew Coronato has recorded at least one assist in six of the Flames’ last eight games.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Colorado Avalanche rank 1st in the league for goals per game this season (3.73).
• The Colorado Avalanche rank 1st in the league for goals against per game this season (2.48).
• The Calgary Flames rank 31st in the league in power play percentage this season (16.59%).
• The Calgary Flames rank 30th in the league for goals per game this season (2.57).

Avalanche vs Flames Prediction 

Colorado comes into this matchup as the best team in the Central division, but they have alternated wins and losses over their last seven games. The Avalanche are 24-9-5 at home this year, while the Flames are 11-24-4 on the road. Calgary has lost three of their last four games and they have allowed 19 goals in those three losses. The Flames have really struggled this season, especially on the road, and they are scoring just 2.57 goals per game. Take the Avs -1.5 here.