Free NHL Picks Today: Calgary Flames vs Colorado Avalanche 10/13/22

The Calgary Flames get their new season underway against the Colorado Avalanche (1-0-0) on Thursday at Scotiabank Saddledome. The Flames are -125 favorites, and the total is 6.5.Colorado is coming off a 5-2 win over the Blackhawks yesterday. The Avalanche committed four penalties in the game, conceding two power play goals. Artturi Lehkonen and Valeri Nichushkin both scored twice for the Avalanche. Alexandar Georgiev allowed two goals on 17 shots (.882%) in the win.

HEAD TO HEAD

The Avalanche won two of the three games between the teams last season, including a 2-1 victory in their final meeting in March. Nichushkin (2G 0A) and Devon Toews (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Colorado. Darcy Kuemper got the win, saving 44 of 45 shots (.978%).

FACING OFF

Colorado averaged 3.76 goals per game last season, fourth in the NHL. The visitors could face a tough challenge against a Flames team that allowed just 2.51 goals a game (3rd). Meanwhile, Calgary found the net 3.55 times a game on average, sixth in the league, and the Avalanche allowed opponents to score 2.83 goals per game (9th).The Avalanche scored on 24.01% of their power play opportunities (7th), while Calgary’s 83.20% penalty kill percentage ranked sixth. The Flames converted 22.88% of their power play chances (10th). Colorado’s PK% of 79.66 ranked No. 15.

LAST SEASON’S TOP PERFORMERS:

With 92 points last season, Mikko Rantanen was the top skater for the Avalanche. He had 36 goals and 56 assists in 75 games. Kuemper, now with the Capitals, was 37-12-4 in the net for Colorado. He had a 2.54 GAA and a .921% save percentage, fifth-best in the league. Johnny Gaudreau led the Flames in scoring a season ago with 115 points (2nd in the league). His 75 assists were the third-best total in the league. He also had 40 goals of his own. Jacob Markstrom (37-15-9) played the most games in net for the Flames last season. He had a 2.22 GAA, third-best in the league, and a .922% save percentage, fourth-best.