NHL Game Preview: Colorado Avalanche (52-16-11) vs. Calgary Flames (33-38-9)

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Calgary Flames logo

Faceoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM MDT / 9:00 PM EDT
TV: ESPN+, Sportsnet West (SNW), KUSA, ALT, KTVD

This late-season matchup features the NHL’s top Western Conference team visiting a Pacific Division also-ran that has been eliminated from playoff contention. The Avalanche enter with 115 points and the league’s best goal differential (+94), while the Flames sit at 75 points with a -47 differential.

Team Records & Recent Form

Avalanche (52-16-11, 1st Central, 1st West): Colorado has been one of the league’s most consistent teams all season, posting a 27-7-5 road record. Their recent form shows resilience despite injuries: they are roughly 6-3-1 in their last 10 games, including a 3-1 home win over these same Flames on April 9 and a 9-2 thrashing on March 30. Recent results include an OT loss to Vegas (Apr 11), a win over Calgary (Apr 9), and solid victories against St. Louis. The Avs average 3.70 goals per game while allowing just 2.47.

Flames (33-38-9, 7th Pacific): Calgary has struggled mightily down the stretch, going approximately 4-5-1 in their last 10 (including wins over Utah and Anaheim but losses to Seattle, Colorado, and Dallas). They are 22-12-5 at home but have dropped their last two contests heading into this one. The Flames score just 2.55 goals per game and allow 3.15, making them one of the weaker defensive units in the conference.

Injury Report

Colorado Avalanche

Cale Makar (D): Upper-body injury (since Mar 30) – OUT (expected return for playoffs).

Nazem Kadri (C): Finger injury – OUT (expected to miss several games; possible playoff return).

Josh Manson (D): Upper-body – Day-to-day / OUT for this game.

Artturi Lehkonen (LW): Undisclosed – Expected out until at least Apr 14 (questionable).

Calgary Flames

Yan Kuznetsov (D): Upper-body – Day-to-day.

Other long-term IR players (e.g., certain Flames forwards listed since September) are season-long and not expected back. Colorado’s defensive depth will be tested without Makar and possibly Manson, while Calgary’s blue line is already thin.

Key Player Matchups to Watch

Nathan MacKinnon (COL C) vs. Flames’ top defensive pair: MacKinnon remains one of the league’s most dynamic threats. With Makar out, he’ll shoulder even more offensive responsibility alongside Mikko Rantanen. Expect heavy minutes and matchup advantages against a Flames defense that has allowed 3+ goals in many recent games.

Dustin Wolf / Devin Cooley (CGY G) vs. Colorado’s high-octane attack: Calgary’s goaltending has been serviceable but inconsistent. Wolf has started most recently; the Avs’ 3.70 GPG offense will test him heavily, especially on the rush.

Flames’ scoring threats (e.g., potential top-line forwards) vs. Colorado’s secondary defense: Without their stars healthy, the Flames will rely on depth forwards and special teams. Colorado’s penalty kill (84.1%) has been strong all year.

Special teams: Avalanche power play sits at 17.9% (solid); Flames at 16.1%. Both teams have been middling on the man advantage lately.

Series History

The Avalanche have dominated the 2025-26 season series, winning both meetings convincingly: 9-2 (Mar 30 at home) and 3-1 (Apr 9 at home). All-time, the teams are nearly even (roughly 82-81-20-2 favoring Colorado slightly in recent decades), but Colorado has owned recent head-to-head play, especially when healthy.

Betting Trends

Flames are 1-4 in their last 5 games overall and have gone Over in 4 of their last 5.

Avalanche are strong as road favorites (-151 to -200 range historically).

Colorado performs well in the 4th game of a 4-in-6 stretch.

Totals have leaned Over in recent Tuesday games for both sides.

Game Odds

Colorado Avalanche       – 155

Calgary Flames                 6.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, April 13, 2026

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