Flames Given 3-1 Odds in NHL Series Prices After Dropping Game 4 to Avalanche

• A 3-2 overtime loss in Game 4 has put top-seeded Calgary in a 3-1 hole to Colorado
• The Flames are now +300 underdogs to come back and win the best-of-seven series
• Is the betting value on Calgary or the surging Avalanche?

The top two seeds in the NHL playoffs haven’t fared well. The Tampa Bay Lightning were swept out of the postseason in just four games and the Calgary Flames are on the brink as they now trail the Colorado Avalanche 3-1.

The Flames have gone from heavy favorite to heavy underdog in the series price. Can Calgary get off the mat or is Colorado the better bet to finish off this series?

Avalanche vs Flames Series Odds

Avs Crush Flames’ Spirit With Game 4 Win

It’s hard to believe what transpired in Game 4. The Calgary Flames held a 2-0 lead with 12 minutes remaining in the third period. It looked similar to Game 1 where the Flames slammed the door on the Avs and won 4-0. However, the script quickly changed and now we’re looking at a very different series.

The Flames had their chances in OT, including a power play when Ian Cole cleared the puck over the glass in his own end, But they couldn’t beat Grubauer …

The Flames were *so* close to an overtime winner here. pic.twitter.com/PCRKDFbkwt

— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) April 18, 2019

… and now, instead of being tied 2-2 with home-ice advantage, the Flames have to win three straight to keep their season alive.

The Avs have all of the momentum and given how this series has played out, it’s hard to see the Flames winning three times in a row.

Goaltending Is Saving The Flames

It’s interesting to note that, at the beginning of the playoffs, most people felt that goaltending was the Flames’ weakness. The Flames benched 26-year-old David Rittich, who was the team’s No. 1 goaltender in the regular season but faded down the stretch, in favor of 37-year-old Mike Smith, who had a very average season.

MIKE SMITH MY GOODNESS! ?#Flames #Avs pic.twitter.com/RSNttOuQly

— Tim and Sid (@timandsid) April 18, 2019

But Smith, who had a poor .898 save percentage in the regular season, has elevated his game to new heights in the playoffs. He’s the only reason why this series has not been a sweep. He has a .931 save percentage, which is incredible considering his team is down 3-1.

Smith can’t play any better than he has, which raises the question: how can the Flames get it together and win three in a row?

Flames Can’t Stop MacKinnon Line

It’s no secret that the Avs have one incredible line of forwards and not much depth behind them, but the Flames still haven’t figure out how to slow them down. Even with an excellent blueline led by Mark Giordano, who is the Norris Trophy favorite, the Flames can’t figure it out.

The Flames were *so* close to an overtime winner here. pic.twitter.com/PCRKDFbkwt

— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) April 18, 2019

Nathan MacKinnon has five points in this series, including an overtime-winning goal. Mikko Rantanen has three goals, six points, and one overtime winner. Combined with Gabriel Landeskog, the trio has 14 points in the last three games.

Calgary has no answer for them and, at the same time, the Flames top line has disappeared. Johnny Gaudreau has failed to score a goal in eight straight postseason games while Sean Monahan and Elias Lindholm have just two points apiece in this series.

Bet The Avs

Although the scores might look close in Games 2 and 4 – both overtime losses – the Flames have been getting whipped the last three games. Had it not been for Mike Smith, all three games would have been blowouts. The Flames, who allowed the fewest shots in the NHL, have allowed 39, 56, and 52 shots in the last three games.

Forget the seeds and just go with what you’ve seen so far. The Avs have all of the momentum and are playing better, while Calgary looks like a shadow of the team that topped the Western Conference. Bet the Avs to win this series.