The Colorado Avalanche was 56 seconds away from reaching the Western Conference Finals for the first time since the 2001-02 season when Robert Thomas of the St. Louis Blues halted the party. Thomas banged in a rebound to even the game and St. Louis would go on to win 3 minutes, 38 seconds into overtime on a shot by Tyler Bozak. The Blues showed a ton of fight, rallying from 3-0 and a 4-3 deficit late to force a Game 6. Check the Avalanche at Blues Betting Analysis below.
NHL expert picks didn’t expect this series to extend this far after St. Louis goaltender Jordan Binnington was knocked out of the series due to a collision with a Colorado player in Game 3. Now, the Blues are heading back to St. Louis to try and force a Game 7. The Avalanche are hoping to keep up their scoring touch and avoid heading back to Denver this round.
Last game, records
St. Louis beat Colorado 5-4 Wednesday night in Denver. The Avalanche lead the series 3-2.
Matchup information
Avalanche at Blues Betting Analysis
Colorado Analysis
NHL betting stats wouldn’t have shown a Colorado collapse was likely in Game 5. For the first time since the Avalanche moved from Quebec, Colorado lost a playoff game after holding a 3-0 lead. The Avalanche held a 34-30 edge in shots and were able to create extra opportunities by holding a 12-7 edge in takeaways.
Star center Nathan Mackinnon capped off a playoff hat trick with a spectacular third-period goal that put the Avalanche ahead with four minutes left. Darcy Kemper had a difficult game in net for Colorado. He allowed five goals out of the 30 shots he saw.
The Avalanche were able to convert on the power play in Game 5. Colorado also killed off all three of St. Louis’ power plays.
St. Louis Analysis
The Blues dug out of their early hole in Game 5 by being the more physical team. The Blues ended up outhitting Colorado 47-31. St. Louis was also effective in the face-off circle, winning 51.6 percent of the draws.
Thomas scored twice for St. Louis. Ville Husso was steady in net for St. Louis. Husso had his best game of the series so far, stopping .882 percent of the shots he’s faced. In the first round, Husso had started Game 2 and won with a shutout. However, Husso had struggled since that point.
Even though Husso was able to hold things together late, St. Louis will need him to do better early to get it in Game 6.
Updates
There are no new injury updates of note for Colorado. St. Louis defenseman Torey Krug is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury. It has been reported it is unlikely Krug would return for Game 6 or 7.
- The total has gone over 6.5 in the last three games in this series.
- St. Louis has won as a +200 or higher twice underdog twice.
- Colorado has seen the over go 48-38 in its games this season.
- St. Louis has seen the over go 49-39 in its games this season.
Avalanche at Blues Betting Preview
NHL betting odds have the Avalanche as a -175 favorite. The Blues are +148. Anyone looking to make other NHL betting picks can bet the over/under, which is set at 6.5 goals.
Avalanche at Blues Betting Prediction
Colorado seemed on its way to the Western Conference Finals in Game 5, in front of a rabid home crowd eager to see them march on. However, St. Louis made one of the most improbable comebacks in recent memory. The question for the Blues is can they build on that moment?
Colorado is a team that attacks ferociously and will once against put Husso under a ton of pressure. In this case, the Avalanche should be able to get a ton of pucks at the net. WIthout Krug and based on Colorado’s past success in the series it is worth betting on the Avalanche to close things out.
How to bet Avalanche at Blues
Bet the Avalanche -175.
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