The Colorado Avalanche (1-0-0) and Calgary Flames (0-0-0) meet Thursday at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary. Puck drop is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Avalanche vs. Flames odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Avalanche opened with a 5-2 thumping of the hapless Chicago Blackhawks Wednesday at Ball Arena, enjoying success on the night it raised the 2022 Stanley Cup Final champion banner. Artturi Lekhonen and Valeri Nichushkin each scored a pair of power-play goals.
The Flames look to take advantage of the Avs in the 2nd end of a back-to-back, using an old friend to tip the scales in their favor. Calgary made a huge splash, signing Cup champ Nazem Kadri to a lucrative contract in the offseason.
Calgary will also see the debut of Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar, 2 key players acquired in a deal with the Florida Panthers for Matthew Tkachuk.