Colorado Avalanche vs. Calgary Flames

Quick read:

Heads up: we are fading the Flames' 0-3 record with the confidence of a man who has already ordered the appetizers. Colorado is 2-0 and playing with the kind of early-season swagger that makes opposing defensemen want to check their insurance policies. The pick is -1.5, because simply winning isn't enough when you're dealing with a team that looks like it’s running on fumes and bad vibes.

Calgary's 0-3 start isn't just a bad stretch; it's a full-on identity crisis on ice. Meanwhile, Colorado is 2-0 and moving with the purpose of a team that knows exactly where the pucks go. You don't need a weather forecast to know which side has the gas in the tank and which side is coasting downhill with the parking brake on.

The only risk here is if the Avalanche decide to treat this like a warm-up lap, but even a lazy Colorado team usually outclasses a struggling opponent by a mile. If you’re worried about a one-goal squeaker, remember that the Flames have yet to find a win, so the margin of safety is built right into their futility.