Avalanche Dominate Flames in 7-3 Victory

What we said beforehand

The Calgary Flames will host the Colorado Avalanche at the Scotiabank Saddledome on October 9, 2026, in a matchup that highlights the stark contrast in recent performances between the two teams. The Flames are struggling with a record of 0-3-0, while the Avalanche come in with a 2-1-0 record, showcasing their ability to find success early in the season.

Calgary's recent form has been concerning, as they have lost their last five games, including a significant defeat against the Seattle Kraken, where they lost 6-1 on October 5. Their other recent losses include a 4-1 defeat to the Edmonton Oilers and another 4-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks. Over these last five games, the Flames have averaged just 1.4 goals scored while allowing 4.0 goals against, indicating a significant struggle both offensively and defensively.

In contrast, the Colorado Avalanche have shown more promise in their recent outings, winning two of their last three games. Their most recent match resulted in a 3-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, but prior to that, they secured impressive wins against the St. Louis Blues (6-1) and the Los Angeles Kings (8-4). The Avalanche have averaged 4.2 goals scored in their last five games while allowing only 1.8 goals against, showcasing their strong offensive and defensive play.

When it comes to home and away performance, the Flames have a home record of 2-2 and an away record of 1-5 in their last ten games. The Avalanche, however, have fared well on the road with a 3-1 away record and a 4-2 home record in the same span. This trend suggests that the Avalanche may have the upper hand as they travel to Calgary.

Historically, the Flames have struggled against the Avalanche, losing all three of their previous meetings in the 2026 season. These encounters included a 3-1 loss at home on April 15 and another 3-1 loss when they visited Colorado on April 10. Additionally, they suffered a heavy defeat of 9-2 in an earlier meeting on March 31, 2026. This history may weigh on the Flames as they seek to turn their fortunes around.

In terms of injuries, the Flames will be without Jonathan Huberdeau, who is on injured reserve due to a hip issue. The Avalanche also have several players on injured reserve, including Logan O'Connor (lower body), Trent Miner (undisclosed), and Georgii Merkulov (undisclosed). The absence of these players could impact both teams' strategies and performance on the ice.

From a betting perspective, DraftKings has set the odds with Colorado as the favorite at -238, while Calgary is listed at +195. The spread is set at 1.5, with a total of 6.5 for the game. The over odds are at 105.0, and the under odds are at -125. These odds reflect the market's confidence in the Avalanche's ability to secure a victory.

As the game approaches, viewers should watch for the Flames' ability to break their losing streak and how they respond to the pressure of playing at home. Additionally, the performance of key players like Ryan Strome for Calgary, who leads the team with one goal, and Artturi Lehkonen for Colorado, who has scored three goals, will be crucial in determining the outcome of this matchup. The game promises to be an intriguing contest as the Flames look to find their footing against a formidable Avalanche team.