The Colorado Avalanche have been one of the NHL’s truly dominant teams this decade, and they welcome the Calgary Flames to Denver in a crucial matchup as they battle for playoff seeding.
Calgary’s playoff hopes have all but evaporated following back-to-back losses, leaving them seven points out of the final wild-card spot with just ten games remaining. A loss here would all but seal their fate. Meanwhile, the Avalanche have gotten healthy at the perfect time and believe their trade deadline acquisitions have elevated them into the league’s elite tier.
Can the Flames’ young core rise to the occasion and pull off an upset against Nathan MacKinnon and the Avalanche, or will this be yet another disappointing road game for Calgary?
Matchup: Flames vs Avalanche Overview
- Teams: Calgary Flames at Colorado Avalanche
- Date: Monday, March 31st, 2025
- Time: Puck drop is at 8:30 PM EST (6:30 PM local time)
- Venue: Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado
Win Probabilities:
There is no doubt about the expected outcome in this game, as the Colorado Avalanche hold an overwhelming 69.12% chance to win, according to NHL win probabilities. Meanwhile, the Flames haven’t beaten the Avalanche in nearly three years and enter this matchup with just a 30.88% chance to snap that streak.
Projected Final Score:
The projected final score for the upcoming game between the Calgary Flames and Colorado Avalanche has been calculated using expert NHL predictions in combination with insights from recent games. The projected final score is Colorado Avalanche 3-1 Calgary Flames.
Flames vs Avalanche Odds
The odds clearly reflect expectations, with the Avalanche heavily favored to secure both points tonight. Their -300 moneyline is sky-high, thanks to the dominant play of Nathan MacKinnon and superstar defenseman Cale Makar.
The puck line has become an excellent option for a matchup like this, as the identical -120 odds make it a strong NHL prediction.
Goaltending remains a concern for Colorado this season, while Calgary has a promising young netminder in Dustin Wolf. However, with the Avalanche riding a seven-game winning streak against the Flames, it’s easy to see why Colorado enters this matchup as a heavy favorite.
| Calgary Flames | Colorado Avalanche | |
| Moneyline | +210 | -300 |
| Puck Line | +1.5 (-120) | -1.5 (-120) |
| Total | Over 5.5 Goals (-134) | Under 5.5 Goals (-106) |
Expert Prediction: Who Wins?
Why the Calgary Flames Could Win
The Calgary Flames are fighting for their lives at this stage of the season, and that desperation could be the edge they need to tilt the ice in their favor. Rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf has been excellent between the pipes, and he will need to be the difference-maker if Calgary hopes to pull off this upset. The Flames are well aware of their seven-game losing streak against the Avalanche and will be playing for personal pride, even as their playoff hopes continue to fade.
Calgary doesn’t have a superstar scorer like Nathan MacKinnon, as Nazem Kadri leads the team with a modest 59 points this season. His 30 goals are respectable, but for a first-line center, it’s not enough to challenge an offensive powerhouse like the Colorado Avalanche. Calgary will need to forecheck aggressively, stay disciplined, and hope Wolf can stand tall in net. If everything goes their way, the Flames certainly have the skill needed to defy the NHL odds and pull off a massive road victory.
Why the Colorado Avalanche Could Win
The Colorado Avalanche have one of the deepest, most talented rosters in the league, and they will be confident in their ability to win a hockey game on any given night. Nathan MacKinnon is currently tied with Nikita Kucherov for the league lead in points, each with 109, while Cale Makar leads all defensemen with 84 points. In goal, the Avalanche shook things up at the trade deadline, moving on from both of their Day 1 goaltenders and handing the crease to Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood.
The Avalanche weren’t satisfied with their roster at the deadline and made bold moves that sent shockwaves through the league. Mikko Rantanen was dealt, but the arrivals of Martin Necas and Brock Nelson help mitigate the loss of his scoring prowess. With a bolstered lineup and Stanley Cup aspirations, the lowly Calgary Flames shouldn’t pose much of a challenge. Colorado has already beaten the Flames in seven straight meetings, so they must prevent complacency from creeping into the dressing room. However, as long as the Avalanche put forth maximum effort tonight, their superiority on both ends of the ice will allow them to pick up two points more often than not.
How to Make Calgary Flames vs Colorado Avalanche Picks
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