The first two games between the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues have had a little bit of everything: a shutout, a hat trick, and a win for both teams. This betting guide will offer some insight into the trends through the first two contests, and some props with potential value.
Minnesota Wild (+100) vs St. Louis Blues (-120)
The Wild were one of the best home teams in the NHL this season, and they used that home-ice advantage to even up the series with a big Game 2 victory. Despite the setback in the last game, the Blues have still won four of five against the Wild this season, and are a slight favorite in this contest. Minnesota was 5-1-2 over its final eight road games, but two of those losses were to St. Louis. Stick with the Blues at home (-120), but it’ll be close.
During the regular season, the Blues were the league’s fourth-highest scoring team at home, and the Wild were the eighth-highest scoring team on the road. It looks like Minnesota shook off their first-game nerves, and the Blues should bounce back, as well. At even money, playing the over (O6.5, +100) looks like a decent play as the series shifts to St. Louis.
Props
Kirill Kaprizov Shots (Over 3.5, –130)
Kirill Kaprizov left his stamp on the playoffs in Game 2, recording the first postseason hat trick in Minnesota Wild history. He might not light up for three goals again, but there’s some value in betting on him to give it a shot. Kaprizov has five shots on goal in each of the first two games, and betting him to get more than three shots on goal (-130) is a decent play going into Game 3.
Kaprizov looked far more comfortable in Game 2 than he did in the series opener, and he should continue pouring on the offense throughout the series. He also went over 3.5 shots in four of his last five games of the regular season, and the Wild will have to lean on him if they’re going to advance past St. Louis. Expect him to keep getting minutes and keep putting shots on target.
Vladimir Tarasenko Power Play Points (Over 0.5, +225)
St. Louis star Vladimir Tarasenko had a goal and an assist in Game 2, and his helper came on the power play. The Wild have been pretty undisciplined this entire series, giving the Blues 11 power play opportunities across the two games. Tarasenko is heavily involved in the Blues’ power play,
The penalty problems against St. Louis stretch back to before the playoffs, too. In the three games between the teams during the regular season, St. Louis was 3-for-9 with the man advantage. Minnesota looks like they can’t stay out of the box, and this is a good number on Tarasenko to provide something on the power play at home in Game 3.
Odds via FanDuel and BetMGM
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