Game five gets underway in Denver tonight as the Colorado Avalanche lead the series over the St. Louis Blues 3-1. This is a do-or-die game for the Blues as their season is now on the line. The Avs want to finish strong and move on to the conference final for the first time since 2002, something they've been adamant about over the past three seasons. Can the Blues stay alive and win the rest of the games? Or will the Avalanche end their misery tonight? It’s time to continue our NHL odds series with a Blues-Avalanche prediction and pick.
Here are the Blues-Avalanche NHL Odds, Courtesy of FanDuel
NHL Odds: Blues-Avalanche Odds
St. Louis Blues: +1.5 (-118) (+205 ML)
Colorado Avalanche: -1.5 (-102) (-260 ML)
Over: 6.5 (-108)
Under: 6.5 (-112)
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Why The Blues Can Cover The Spread/Win
The St. Louis Blues are in trouble going down 3-1 to an elite team like the Avalanche. They're struggling to contain the Avs' attack all while being shut down on their own attack. In the second period of game four, the Blues seemed more worried about finding revenge against Nazem Kadri than winning the game, which allowed the Avs to pick apart the Blues on the powerplay and come away with a victory. The Blues fought back enough to score three goals in game four, but it wasn't enough as they now have to win three straight games in order to win the series.
Ville Husso will remain in net tonight as he hasn't exactly thrived in the playoffs this year as he is showing a .884 save percentage through his five postseason games played. He found the starting job during the regular season but will need help defensively if the Blues want to stay in this fight.
Why The Avalanche Can Cover The Spread/Win
The Colorado Avalanche are absolutely blowing the doors off of the competition so far after seeping Nashville in the first round and now having an opportunity to win the second round tonight. Kadri was the main story of game four as he was picked on by the Blues all game but still came out of it with three goals and an assist. The craziest part about the Avs' lineup is that they have so much depth, their top line isn't even really making that big of an impact so far in the series. Of course, they're keeping good pressure on the Blues as a whole, but not entirely on the scoresheet.
Goaltender Darcy Kuemper has been pretty steady so far in the playoffs with a .917 save percentage in this series so far. Defenseman Samuel Girard will be out for the rest of the playoffs but the Avs are so deep that it shouldn't really affect their roster. If anything, it allows them to dress Jack Johnson, who is a veteran presence on the ice that will up their defensive skills even more. The Avs want to get out of the second round so bad, and tonight is their ticket.
Final Blues-Avalanche Prediction & Pick
Let's not beat around the bush here, the Avalanche are winning this series, whether that'll be tonight or in game six, they're winning this series. The Blues are a very good team, but they're not going to win. The Avs are much deeper than most of the teams in the playoffs still, and I wouldn't be surprised if they make a great cup run. My pick tonight is more of a value pick as the Avs are favored by so much that you have to find ways to make money off of them. Their puck line is a great way to start.
Final Blues-Avalanche Prediction and Pick: Avalanche -1.5 (-102)
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