The Calgary Flames head to the Rocky Mountains on the second half of a back-to-back to take on the Western Conference-leading Colorado Avalanche at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. The Flames are red hot, while the Avalanche have stumbled lately. It's time to continue our NHL odds series with a Flames-Avalanche prediction and pick.

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The Flames blanked the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night behind the stellar performance of Jacob Markstrom, who stopped all 19 shots directed at him. It was his league-leading ninth shutout of the season. The Flames have gone 5-1-1 over their last seven games. They have also gone 17-3-1 over a 21-game stretch. The Avalanche are the top team in the NHL but are struggling, as they have lost two in a row, including a 2-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday. It was the first time any team has shut out the Avalanche, and only the second time they have lost back-to-back games in regulation. They look to avenge a 5-4 overtime loss the Flames inflicted on them just last week.

Courtesy of FanDuel here are the Flames-Avalanche odds:

NHL Odds: Flames-Avalanche Odds

Flames: +1.5 (-170)

Avalanche: -1.5 (+138)

Over 6.5 (-106)

Under 6.5 (-114)

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Why The Flames Could Cover The Spread/Win

The Flames are the hottest team in the NHL right now, winning at will in almost every contest. Eight days ago, they went into the Ball Arena and rallied from two deficits to put the clamps on the Avalanche. Johnny Gaudreau has remained solid for the Flames, adding a power-play assist on Saturday night to bring his point total to 78 on the season. Matthew Tkachuk chipped in two assists on the power play to propel the Flames, while Elias Lindholm scored his team-leading 30th goal.

The Flames have scored plenty of goals this season. Their trio of Gaudreau, Thachuk, and Lindholm has propelled them to second in that category. Much of their recent scoring has been on special teams.

The Flames went 2 for 3 on the extra man attack last night and have produced a staggering 3 for 8 stat line over their last eight power play chances. They currently rank 11th in power play conversions, just one ahead of the Avalanche.

Their recent history against the Avalanche has been spectacular as they have won 10 of the last 13 showdowns against them since the start of the 2016-2017 season. Calgary has also won two in a row in Colorado, and four of the last six contests in Denver. The Flames have the tools to succeed against the Avalanche.

Why The Avalanche Could Cover The Spread/Win

The Avalanche have history working against them but they also have the benefit of extra rest. The Avalanche have stewed since their loss to Carolina on Thursday. Couple that with the fact that the Avalanche still holds the best record in the NHL, and this is a team that is difficult to bet against.

Despite going 1-3-1 over their last five games, the Avalanche remain at the top of the Western Conference standings. They have done this through sheer force of scoring. That scoring is perpetuated by Nathan MacKinnon who has tallied 19 goals on 60 overall points. Defenseman Cale Makar has provided amazing offensive firepower this season as he has added 21 goals to 65 overall points. But the Avalanche are getting firepower from an unlikely source. Nazem Kadri is having a career season and has already broken his single-season mark for point totals, as he has 72 points.

Both MacKinnon and Makar struggled against Carolina, but both could potentially break out here and deliver the help the Avalanche needs to break out of their slump. In last week's loss to Calgary, MacKinnon had the game-tying goal in the third period that sent it to overtime and Makar supported him with an assist. Kadri provided two assists of his own to help Colorado stay with the Flames. This is where the Avalanche needs their defense to step up.

Defenseman Samuel Girard is out for four weeks with a lower-body injury, and that means someone else from the Avalanche has to step up. The extra rest should give Colorado a boost and the Flames may decide to go with backup goalie Dan Vladar on the heels of a back-to-back. Vladar beat the Avalanche last week but struggled mightily in his most recent start, a 5-4 loss to the Capitals. Facing Vladar would give the Avalanche a clearer advantage, and a better chance to win.

Final Flames-Avalanche Prediction & Pick

Much of this pick is since the Flames will likely start Vladar. Markstrom only faced 19 shots last night but the Flames rarely start him on back-to-back nights. The Avalanche are fuming from their recent struggles and need to have a statement game to show everyone they are not peaking. The Avalanche gets the win here and takes advantage of a tired Flames team.

Final Flames-Avalanche Prediction & Pick: Avalanche Moneyline (-166)