If Game 1 was any indication, the second-round series between the Colorado Avalanche and St. Louis Blues is going to be a doozy. The Avs were just 6-10-1 when trailing after the first period this season, but managed to win in overtime. This betting guide will offer the best value plays for Game 2 based on the trends going on with both teams.
St. Louis Blues (+190) vs Colorado Avalanche (-225)
Avalanche Lead Series 1-0
The Blues have to feel like they missed out on a huge opportunity to take a game in Colorado, especially with the way netminder Jordan Binnington played. Colorado had a sluggish start but was every bit as active for much of the game as they were in the first series, peppering 54 shots at the St. Louis goal. The Avs are clearly the favorite to win Game 2, but the Blues are closer than these odds might suggest.
It’s going to be tough for St. Louis to win in Colorado, especially now that the Avalanche are on alert. But that doesn’t mean things won’t be close. It’s tough to back either of these moneylines going into Game 2. Colorado’s is too steep, and picking against the Avs is dangerous, too. The best play here might be the Blues puck line (+1.5, -125) in hopes that Binnington can keep them within a goal because he sure looks more than capable right now.
Over/Under: Under 6.5 (+105)
During the regular season, these teams lit up the scoreboard against each other. Game 1 was a different story. Both goaltenders looked totally locked in, particularly Binnington in the Blues net, who made 51 saves in the loss. The over is 6-1 in the last seven meetings between these teams but was never even close to being in danger at any point in Game 1.
Colorado netminder Darcy Kuemper looked back to normal after returning from injury, and if Binnington continues his current form, there’s going to be value in playing the under (U6.5, +105). But that is a bet that needs to be placed early, as some markets already have the total at seven goals, sucking a lot of the value out of the under play. Look at the under until either of these goaltenders show some cracks.
Prop Bet: Blues First-Period Spread (+0.5, -155)
The Avalanche might be known for their hot starts, but St. Louis has been every bit as good once the puck drops in this postseason. The Blues have scored a goal in the first period of their last four playoff games and have been tied or in the lead in each of them. Tuesday’s Game 1 was the first time the Blues lost one of those games.
St. Louis was leading or tied after the first period in 60 of their 82 regular-season games, while Colorado was trailing or tied after the opening stanza 49 times during the regular season. The Blues were also in the lead or tied after the first period in three of the four meetings with the Avs this season, including Game 1. This is a decent number (-155) for the Blues to at least be tied through the first 20 minutes.
Odds via FanDuel and BetMGM
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