If we have learned anything from watching the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs over the years, it’s that we should come to expect the unexpected. For example, did anyone really expect an expansion team to make it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season? I’m guessing that no-one outside of the great state of Nevada had money on that at the start last season. Similarly, how many of you had the Tampa Bay Lightning, the team with the best record this season, being swept by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the opening round this season? Surprises have become the norm, so we shouldn’t really be that shocked to see the #1 seed in the Western Conference sitting on the brink of elimination.

The Calgary Flames will hit home ice on Thursday night, nursing a 3-1 series deficit against the Colorado Avalanche. This series can turn if the Flames can get the win on home ice, but the Avalanche are suddenly a very confident team that is going to be incredibly tough to beat. Can they go into hostile territory and kill this series off?

Avalanche vs Flames 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs Lines & Game 5 Prediction

If you didn’t believe in us before, you should believe in us now.#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/pgYPQljMZm

— x- Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) 18 de abril de 2019

• When: Friday, April 19 at 10 PM EST
• Where: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary
• TV: NBCSN
• Radio: TuneIn/NHL
• Live Stream: NHL.tv
• 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs Lines: Calgary Flames -180 (Total 6)

Capitals vs Hurricanes 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs Odds & Game 4 Pick

Why bet on the Colorado Avalanche?

The Avalanche are the perfect example of the old cliché about just making it into the playoffs. They looked to be dead and buried with just a couple of weeks left in the season, but they ended up going on a great run, leapfrogging the Arizona Coyotes to take the final Wild Card spot in the West.

The Avalanche were essentially playing playoff hockey for a couple of weeks before the official postseason began, so it’s not all that surprising that they would come in primed and ready to go. 2 of the 4 games in this series have gone to OT, so the Avs will be well aware of the fine margins between winning and losing. They will be the underdog again for this one, but they are now a solid 26-17 ATS away from home.

Team Stats

Offense

• Goals: 3.16
• Shots: 33.12
• PP/PK Percentage: 21.57

Defense

• Goals: 2.98
• Shots: 32.00
• PP/PK Percentage: 21.58

Why bet on the Calgary Flames?

The Flames did a fantastic job of securing the #1 seed in the Western Conference, but even with that prize, there were some question marks about their goaltending coming into the playoffs. Mike Smith seemed to put that to bed by posting a shutout in Game 1, but he has not had much help from his defense since then, especially in Game 3, when the Avalanche lit them up with 6 goals.

This is still mostly a young team, so it is going to be interesting to see how they react to be 3-1 down in the series. A win at home might be just enough to get this series turned around, but can they handle the pressure? The Flames are now 23-20 ATS this season, but they will happily take a 1-goal win here.

Team Stats

Offense

• Goals: 3.48
• Shots: 32.44
• PP/PK Percentage: 19.73

Defense

• Goals: 2.78
• Shots: 28.77
• PP/PK Percentage: 20.08

Avalanche vs Flames 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs Betting Trends

• Colorado is 41-45 ATS in all games this season
• Colorado is 95-85 ATS in a road game where where the total is 6 or more since 1996
• Calgary is 22-21 ATS in home games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons
• Calgary is 1-7 ATS in the first round of the playoffs over the last 3 seasons
• 6 of 12 games in this series have gone Over the Total over the last 3 seasons

Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Avalanche vs Flames

I keep picking the Flames to win games in this series, believing that they will come to life at some point. I have been skunked thus far, but I am sticking with them to win in Game 5 and keep the series alive.

Score: Colorado Avalanche 2 – Calgary Flames 3