Alex Alarcon
NHL
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The NHL First Round Playoff Games have arrived as Pickswise will be handing out daily winning NHL picks starting on Thursday. With over a decade of combined winning experience, Pickswise is your number one NHL first round playoff resource to win. To kick off the first round playoff games, the Colorado Avalanche and Calgary Flames from the Western Conference will go toe to toe. Enjoy these free NHL first round playoff predictions? Give @Pickswise a follow and get a first hand-look on his daily research.
Avalanche vs. Flames First Round Playoff Predictions
Game 1: Colorado Avalanche at Calgary Flames
Line: Flames -185
Pickwise Expert Picks: Flames ML / WIN
The Avalanche open the NHL playoffs with a trip to Scotiabank Saddledome for game one of their first-round series with the Calgary Flames. Colorado was able to make the playoffs as the final wild-card team in the Western Conference. The Avalanche have really struggled against the Flames in their last 10 head-to-head meetings, as Calgary owns an 8-1-1 record against Colorado in that span. The teams met three times in the regular season with Calgary winning each of those games. The Avalanches most recent win over the Flames was last February.
It could be a rough night for Colorado as they have really struggled this season, away from home with a 17-16-8 road record this season. Calgary was able to win the Pacific Division which gave them a one seed in their portion of the playoff bracket. With both teams averaging over three goals per game this season that could favor a high scoring outing when these teams meet. It should be a very competitive series, but the Flames have more weapons than the Avalanche. Mikko Rantanen is probable for this opening game with an upper-body injury and that is a player that Colorado can’t be without if they want to try and sneak out a win in Calgary. The Flames have too much and that is why Calgary is the way to go in game one.
Game 2: Colorado Avalanche at Calgary Flames
Line: Flames -230
Pickwise Expert Picks: Flames ML / WIN
The Colorado Avalanche sure looked like a very much overmatched team in game one, as the Flames made easy work of their opponent in a 4-0 shutout win. Calgary enters game two with a 9-1 record in their last 10 games against the Avalanche. Colorado hasn’t been able to win a game against Calgary since last February, in a 5-2 win at the Pepsi Center in Denver. The Avalanche are 2-3 in their last five games, while the Flames have won three of their last five games. The win in game one ended Calgary’s two-game losing streak heading into the playoffs. The loss in game one now brings the Avalanche to 0-4 against Calgary this season.
It has been a struggle for the Avalanche and they could be in for yet another rough night at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary. If the Flames get the win once again, what is to stop Calgary from sweeping the Avalanche. Colorado has looked overmatched and that will most likely be their downfall. The Flames should be able to make easy work of the Avalanche once again. Calgary is the way to go in game two.
Game 3: CGY Flames at COL Avalanche
Line: Flames -125
Pickswise Expert Pick: Flames ML
A shocker in game two as the Colorado Avalanche was able to outlast the Calgary Flames on their own ice in overtime. Now the teams head to the Pepsi Center in Colorado for game three. After Calgary shut the Avalanche out in game one, Colorado responded by beating the Flames 3-2 in overtime. Calgary is now 8-1-1 in their last 10 head-to-head meetings with Colorado. Calgary is 5-5 in their last 10 games. While Colorado is 6-4 in their last 10 games. The Flames are 2-0-1 in their last three games against the Avalanche. Counting the two playoff games so far these teams have met five times this season, with Calgary winning all but one which was game two in this series. The Flames have won two of the last three meetings at the Pepsi Center.
This should be a closely dueled match-up much like game two was, and this could even have a chance at a second straight overtime game if the Avalanche can play to the level they played in game two. The Flames should be able to get back on track in this one. Back the Flames to get the win in game three.
Game 4: CGY Flames at COL Avalanche
Line: Flames -110
Pickswise Expert Pick: Avalanche ML
The Calgary Flames should be scratching their heads as they now find themselves down two games to the Colorado Avalanche. A team they had beaten in eight out of ten times prior to this playoff series. The Avalanche have built off of their game two in Calgary, by posting a 6-2 blowout of the Flames at the Pepsi Center in Colorado in game three. It’s now time for game four and with the Flames really struggling with only one win in their last five games, Calgary could be in trouble.
The Avalanche are 3-2 in their last five games. Colorado is also 6-4 in their last 10 games, while Calgary has struggled to a 4-6 record in their last 10 games. The Flames swept the Avalanche in their regular season games, but since the playoffs have started, Colorado has responded with two wins in their three games so far this series. This series has really turned towards the Avalanche, and they could sneak out of the first round. Back Colorado to get the job done in game four.
Game 5: CGY Flames at COL Avalanche
Line: Flames -175
Pickswise Expert Pick: Avalanche ML
Its game five time, and the Calgary Flames are on the ropes as they enter trailing three games to one. Calgary started this round hot winning game one, but have since dropped three games in the series in a row. The Avalanche have taken full control in this series, but it doesn’t seem like they can stay comfortable, as Calgary is still a very capable foe. The Flames had manhandled Colorado prior to the start of this playoff series, but since Calgary is 1-3 against the Avalanche.
Calgary is 4-6 in their last 10 games, while Colorado is 7-3 in their last 10 games. As much as the success the Avalanche have had in this series, it’s hard to see them continue this success in this match-up. It will be hard to return to the Scotiabank Saddledome and get a series-clinching win over the Calgary Flames. With that being said the Flames are a good play to back to extend the series to a sixth game. Back Calgary to get the victory in game five.
