The Calgary Flames played themselves back into the wildcard conversation in February, but have since fizzled out.
The good news for Calgary is that mathematically, they are still alive. The bad news is they have to have their best stretch of the season beginning now through the end of the year.
It will not be easy, though. Among other tough opponents down the stretch, the Avalanche have had the Flames’ number. This will be a tough two points for Calgary to collect.
As good as the Avalanche are, they have gone through a couple streaks of inconsistency this year. The past two weeks they have been rolling which came at a good time as they were slumping in February. Colorado enters this game having won five out of their last six outings. They have won those five games by a combined 20 goals. That is an average win by four goals during that span.
Head to head, the Avalanche have had the better of the Flames as well over the last couple of seasons. Colorado has won six out of the last seven games against Calgary including both played this season.
The Flames have struggled in the past week to the tune of a 1-3-0 record. Those losses were by two goals, four goals, and five goals respectively. It looks like the Flames are feeling the brunt of selling multiple very good players ahead of last week’s trade deadline. The Avalanche are the better team in better form and all-around more reliable.
To no surprise, Mikko Rantanen is second on the Avalanche in goals, assists, and points with 31, 53, and 84 respectively. All done thus far in 65 games. Obviously, skating on a line with Nathan MacKinnon and being on the top power play certainly helps. Anytime MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Rantanen step on the ice is opportunity for offense. Tonight is no different.
Rantanen has five points in his last two games and an average of two points in five out of his last seven games. In two games against the Flames this season, Rantanen has a goal and one assist for four points. He matches up well against this Calgary team and should be licking his chops for tonight. The Avalanche sit atop the NHL in goals scored per game and will face the weakest version of the Flames they have seen this season. Look for Rantanen to be firmly in the mix offensively.
Much of the above can also be said for Nathan MacKinnon, but on an even more impressive scale. MacKinnon has been a man on a mission this season. He has already matched his career high in points for a season with 111 in just 65 games in 2023-24. Those 111 points lead the NHL by four and his 40 goals are fifth in the league. For any offense the Avalanche generate, there is a good chance it will go through MacKinnon.
MacKinnon has two goals and two assists in two games against the Flames this season. There is no reason he cannot hold to those averages against a weaker team. MacKinnon has tallied six goals in his last six games with five of those games being with playoff locks or contenders. This is a player that has not slowed down all season and has not shown any indication that he will anytime soon.
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COL Avalanche | -180 ML |
CAL Flames | +150 ML |
Puck Line | COL -1.5 (+135) |
Total | O/U 6.5 |
Nathan MacKinnon | -105 |
Mikko Rantanen | +115 |
Valeri Nichushkin | +160 |
Blake Coleman | +180 |
Nazem Kadri | +180 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.