Calgary Flames vs Colorado Avalanche Picks and Predictions for Saturday October 31 2026
Colorado already put seven goals past Calgary once this season. Seven.
And now the Flames have to go into Denver, where the Avalanche have been scoring five goals a game.
Somebody can make the argument that Calgary will be better prepared this time. Sure. The Flames aren’t going to forget getting embarrassed 7-3 in their own building. But remembering a beating and having the players to prevent another one are two different things.
Calgary visits Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, October 31, with the puck dropping at 10 PM ET. The game is available on ESPN+. Colorado is the clear favorite, although I couldn’t verify a current sportsbook price I’d be comfortable publishing. I’m taking the Avalanche and looking toward the Over. Get ready for all of the NHL action with our free NHL picks.
Sign Up Get $30 Premium Picks Credit + Exclusive Offers
Subscribe Now
Calgary Flames Have a Tough Weekend Ahead
Calgary enters Friday at 5-7, including 1-4 on the road. The Flames had won four straight before getting shut out 4-0 in Edmonton Wednesday. That’s the frustrating thing about this team. They’ll beat Toronto 5-2, handle Detroit 4-1, and make you think they’ve finally figured something out. Then they go into Edmonton and barely threaten the net.
The Flames are scoring only 2.33 goals per game and allowing 3.75. That’s a terrible combination against Colorado. Calgary is giving up more than 30 shots a night, and the Avalanche have been one of the best finishing teams in hockey. The one thing Calgary does well is the power play, which is converting at 29 percent. If the Flames get enough chances with the extra man, they can score. But I don’t want to build my entire argument around hoping Colorado takes four or five penalties.
Joel Farabee leads Calgary with three goals and nine assists, giving him 12 points in 12 games. Matt Coronato has two goals and eight assists, while Matvei Gridin has four goals and four assists. Gridin has been one of the few Flames consistently finishing his chances. The injury situation isn’t helping. Jonathan Huberdeau remains out after hip surgery, Samuel Honzek is sidelined, and Brennan Othmann is dealing with an upper-body problem. Goaltender Devin Cooley is also questionable with a lower-body injury. That’s a particularly bad situation when you’re about to face Colorado.
Colorado Avalanche Can Make This Ugly
Colorado is 7-5-1, including 5-1-1 at Ball Arena. The Avalanche haven’t been perfect, but they’ve been excellent at home. They just beat New Jersey 5-2 Wednesday, and they scored six against Tampa Bay in their previous home game. That’s 11 goals in two home games against good opponents. Calgary’s defense isn’t nearly as dependable as either of those teams.
The Avalanche are averaging 4.15 goals per game and allowing 3.15. They’re putting more than 30 shots on net, and they have several players who can finish. That’s what makes them dangerous. You can’t spend an entire game worrying about Nathan MacKinnon because somebody else will get loose. Colorado’s penalty kill has been a concern at 76.9 percent, so Calgary could find some opportunities there. But at even strength, I think the Avalanche have a substantial advantage.
MacKinnon has eight goals and 14 assists through 13 games. Twenty-two points already. Martin Necas has six goals and ten assists, while Artturi Lehkonen has ten goals and five assists. That’s three players producing at an excellent pace. Cale Makar has added three goals and eight assists from the blue line. Calgary has to defend all of them, and I don’t think it can. Josh Manson is out with a lower-body injury, while Zachary L’Heureux is also unavailable. Those absences hurt Colorado’s depth, but the Avalanche still have their most important offensive players.
Calgary Flames vs Colorado Avalanche Picks and Predictions
Colorado Avalanche Moneyline
I’m taking Colorado. The price will probably be expensive, and that’s the biggest drawback. Calgary has won four of its last five games entering Friday, so the Flames aren’t completely hopeless. But they’re 1-4 on the road, they don’t score enough, and they’ve already allowed seven goals to Colorado this season. The Avalanche have been scoring five a game at home, and MacKinnon has been terrific. Calgary also has to play Seattle on Friday before traveling to Denver. That’s a rough setup. I think Colorado wins comfortably, and I’d consider the puck line if the moneyline gets too expensive.
Over 6.5 Goals — Target Total
I’ll take Over 6.5 if that number is available. The first meeting finished 7-3, and Colorado has been scoring more than four goals a game this season. Calgary’s defense has been allowing nearly four, and its goaltending situation is uncertain. The concern is Calgary getting shut down offensively again, leaving Colorado to do almost all the scoring. That’s possible. But the Flames have a strong power play, and the Avalanche have been vulnerable while shorthanded. I think Calgary can contribute a couple. Something like Colorado 5-2 would get us there.
Final Picks: Colorado Avalanche Moneyline and Over 6.5 Goals (target total)
Preview prepared October 30, 2026.
Never Tried Picks and Parlays? Now Is Your Chance
- Get your first daily picks package for ONLY $1 using coupon code BUCK
- If the pick loses, we credit your account with 3 Flex Picks
- If the pick wins, we still give you 1 Flex Pick on the house
- Win or lose, you walk away ahead. One dollar. No catch.
Get Up to $1,000 Back in Bonus Bets Over Your First 10 Days
New Users – Get $350 in Bonus Bets when you wager $5 for 7 days
New DraftKings Customers: Bet $5, Get $200 + 3 Months of NBA League Pass
