The Colorado Avalanche took the lead in this second-round series against the St. Louis Blues, getting their highest goal total of the series in Game 3. Injuries have altered the trajectory of this matchup, and this betting guide will offer some insight into some of the top value plays going into Monday’s Game 4.
Colorado Avalanche (-160) vs St. Louis Blues (+135)
Avalanche Lead Series 2-1
The St. Louis Blues lost the battle in Game 3, but they might have lost the war, too. Goaltender Jordan Binnington was their most valuable player of the postseason after entering in Game 4 against the Minnesota Wild in the first round. A collision in the crease has bumped him from the series against the Colorado Avalanche, and that might seal the Blues’ fate.
With all due respect to Ville Husso, Binnington was playing on another level. The Blues were going to need all the help they could get before the injury, but now the ice is tilted heavily in Colorado’s favor. The Avalanche also have a pair of favorable numbers in Game 4. The Avs moneyline (-160) has decent value, but so does their puck line (-1.5, +150). Depending on your level of risk, either one of those looks to be a good option.
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-115)
Any time a goaltender goes out, it’s an alert to both teams. The Avalanche will be licking their chops against Husso, who they’ve had a lot of success against in the past. The Blues will have some extra jump knowing they’ll likely need more offense going forward. The under had looked like it was going to be a great play throughout this series, but Binnington’s injury changes everything.
Entering the playoffs, Husso had just two career appearances against Colorado, and both were in 2020-21. He went 0-1 in those appearances with a save percentage of .875 and a goals-against average of 4.53. Along with the four goals he gave up on Saturday, that doesn’t instill a lot of confidence. Darcy Kuemper has looked good in the Colorado net, but the scoring is going to go up. Take a good look at playing the over in this one (O6.5, -115)
Prop Bet: Avalanche First Period Spread (-0.5, +140)
Colorado hasn’t scored the first goal in any of the three games this series. The odds have shifted because of that, and now with the backup goaltender in play for the Blues, Colorado has a great number to be leading after the opening period. St. Louis was ahead 1-0 when Binnington exited Game 3, and the Avalanche promptly scored the next three goals.
Expect the Avalanche to come out and pour on the pressure in the first period. Even though Colorado has scored just one goal in the first period through the first three games, that goal came just 4:12 after Husso came in. That’s no coincidence, and that means this is a very good number (+140) for the Avs to have the lead following the opening period.
Odds via BetMGM
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