The St. Louis Blues have a chance to close out a topsy-turvy series, taking on the Minnesota Wild at home in Game 6. The Blues have won back-to-back games, both by three goals. This betting guide will offer some insight into the best value plays for Thursday’s Game 6.
Minnesota Wild (-105) vs St. Louis Blues (-115)
Blues Lead Series 3-2
As an underdog in any series, the best a team can ask for is a home game to clinch a series. The St. Louis Blues get that tonight against the Minnesota Wild. The Blues look like the more organized team, winning the last two games by identical 5-2 scores. Jordan Binnington looks sharper in goal and switching to him after Game 3 has made a big difference in the series.
The home team has only won two games in this series, but the Blues look like they have turned a corner. The St. Louis moneyline (-115) is inviting and is probably the best play. However, every game has also been decided by at least three goals, meaning the Blues’ puck line (-1.5, +220) should get some serious consideration. There’s also value in betting over the total (O6, -120). With the exception of Game 1, every contest in this series has featured six goals or less.
Props
Ryan O’Reilly Points (-145)
Ryan O’Reilly has been a very reliable prop play this entire series no matter what you’ve been looking for. He’s scored a goal in every game except for Game 2 and has gotten off at least three shots on goal in every game but Game 5. O’Reilly has another favorable number today.
Scoring four goals and three assists in the final three games of the regular season, O’Reilly was one of the players to watch for the Blues in the first round. He hasn’t disappointed, racking up four goals and three assists so far against the Wild. With St. Louis on the brink of eliminating Minnesota and playing at home, it’s a quality play to bet on him to garner at least one point (-145) again.
Kirill Kaprizov Anytime Goal Scorer (+110)
Last year’s Calder Trophy winner has arrived in this year’s playoffs, as Kirill Kaprizov has seven goals over the past four games. He’s notched the first postseason hat trick in Minnesota Wild history and had a pair of power-play goals in the first period of Game 5. Kaprizov looks like a threat to score every time he’s on the ice, and he’s Minnesota’s last—and best—hope to avoid elimination on Thursday.
At this point, his anytime goal scorer odds (+110) must be considered. He has scored at least one goal in nine of his last 14 games, racking up 12 goals during that span. The Wild need him to keep the pressure up if they want to advance, meaning he’ll likely see 19-20 minutes and increased time on any power play. This is a good number for a guy who has been sizzling for the last month.
Odds via FanDuel and BetMGM
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