NHL Game Preview: Calgary Flames (31-34-8) vs. Colorado Avalanche (48-14-10)

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Colorado Avalanche logo

Puck drop is scheduled for 8:30 PM ET
Venue: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Broadcast: ESPN+ (national), ALT / Prime (Avalanche regional)

This Western Conference matchup pits a surging but playoff-eliminated Flames squad against a powerhouse Avalanche team locked into the top seed in the Central Division and Western Conference. Colorado is riding elite home dominance and looking to snap a brief skid, while Calgary—on the start of a six-game road trip—hopes to play spoiler with timely scoring and physicality. The Avs enter as massive favorites in what figures to be a high-event game at altitude.

Team

Recent Form (Last 5-10 Games)

Flames (6-3-1 in last 10; 4-1-1 in last 6):

Mar 28: W 7-3 vs VAN

Mar 26: L 2-3 (OT) vs ANA

Mar 24: W 3-2 (SO) vs LAK

Mar 22: W 4-3 (OT) vs TBL

Mar 20: W 4-1 vs FLA
Calgary has found offensive rhythm lately (averaging 4+ goals in several wins) and is 4-1-1 in its last six, showing resilience despite missing key pieces.

Avalanche (5-4-1 in last 10; 4-1 in last 5 prior to recent L):

Mar 28: L 2-4 vs WPG

Mar 26: W vs WPG (earlier)

Mar 24: W 6-2 @ PIT

Mar 22: W 3-2 (OT) @ WSH

Recent prior: Strong road wins but a four-game home losing streak entering this contest.
Colorado remains dominant overall (elite goal differential) but has dropped two of its last three at Ball Arena.

Injury Report

Calgary Flames:

Jonathan Huberdeau (LW) – OUT for season (hip surgery)

Joel Hanley (D) – OUT for season (upper body)

Samuel Honzek (LW) – OUT / IR (upper body)

Connor Zary (C) – Day-to-Day (upper body)

Yan Kuznetsov (D) – Day-to-Day (upper body)

Jake Bean (D) – OUT (undisclosed)
Flames are thin up front and on the blue line, relying on depth call-ups.

Colorado Avalanche:

Artturi Lehkonen (LW) – OUT (upper body)

Nicolas Roy (C) – Day-to-Day (upper body)

Additional depth pieces (e.g., Logan O’Connor long-term hip, Ross Colton upper body in some reports) monitored, but core stars (MacKinnon, Rantanen, Makar, Landeskog if active) expected available.
Avs depth is tested but still far superior.

Monitor Zary/Kuznetsov and Roy pre-game; absences could impact special teams and depth.

Key Player Matchups to Watch

Nathan MacKinnon / Mikko Rantanen vs. Flames defense: MacKinnon’s speed and playmaking should exploit Calgary’s road vulnerabilities and injury-hit blue line.

Connor McDavid-level impact (Flames young guns like Coronato / Sharangovich) vs. Avs shutdown pairs: Calgary’s recent scoring surge (Coronato hot) tested by Colorado’s elite back end (Makar, Toews).

Goaltending: Flames (likely Vladar or backup) vs. Avalanche netminders (Georgiev or backup) – Avs have allowed fewer than 2.5 GAA at home.

Special Teams & Physicality: Flames PP (low %) vs. Avs PK (strong); expect heavy forechecking and board battles in a potential track meet at altitude.

Series History (2025-26 Season)

Limited matchups this season; Colorado has historically dominated (won 5 of last 6 overall).

Recent H2H favors the home team; Avs took prior meetings comfortably when healthy.
Expect Colorado to push for the season-series edge in this home finale.

Betting Trends

Avs strong ATS as home favorites; covered in most wins vs. weaker Pacific teams.

Flames 6-3-1 SU lately but poor as road dogs (struggle ATS).

Totals have gone Under in several recent Avs home games and Flames road contests.

Game Odds

Calgary Flames                 6.5

Colorado Avalanche       – 375

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, March 29, 2026