They had their chance to close out the series on their home ice Wednesday night but it wasn’t meant to be for the Notes as they were shutout by the Wild in Game 4. The series will now shift back to the State of Hockey with the Wild trailing 3-1 instead of 3-0. As has been the case for the entire series, the Blues opened as an underdog and if you’ve been following this series – and my content – at all, you’re likely intrigued by Notes’ moneyline.
If there’s a series where a team has a chance to climb out of a three-game hole, it’s this one. The Blues were barely present in Game 4 and it looked like they were just trying to hold on. That’s not a strategy that will be effective against a desperate Wild club and if the Blues don’t crank up the intensity knob in St. Paul this afternoon, they’ll be heading back to Missouri with a 3-2 lead.
Jake Allen was good again for the Notes in Game 4, stopping 26 of the Wild’s 28 shots but was outdueled by Devan Dubnyk for the first time in the best-of-seven. Duber also faced 28 shots in the contest but was able to stop them all. Game 5 should also come down to whichever one of these two goal-stoppers has the better day.
Somtheing that pops out from the last contest is the Blues’ blocked shots number (12). Before Game 4, the Notes had averaged 21 blocks per game. It’s likely that the guys doing the majority of the shot-blocking for St. Louis are pretty banged up and winning the way they have been isn’t sustainable – just ask the 2012 New York Rangers. That said, the value on the Blues’ moneyline is too attractive to not have a go here.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
On the Sportsbook NHL betting line for this matchup, Minnesota sat as -177 favorites over at Sportsbook. The total was set at 5 at Sportsbook but may move closer to puck drop.
Odds Shark prediction models pick the Wild to win this game 3-2.6. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
St. Louis Blues vs Minnesota Wild Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
50-27-9 Minnesota battles the Blues, currently with a 49-30-7 mark. The OVER/UNDER records, important for totals bettors, are 42-35-9 for the Wild and 34-39-13 for the Blues. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Minnesota vs St. Louis injuries news.
This game matches up the No. 16 (Minnesota Wild) and the No. 6 (St. Louis Blues) teams according to our current NHL Power Rankings.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Minnesota's No. 3-ranked offense, averaging 3.15 goals per game, against a Blues defense that ranks No. 11 at 2.59 goals allowed. The Wild power play is averaging 20.25% while the Blues defense kills off 85.09% of their penalties.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Next Betting Matchups
St. Louis home to Minnesota, Monday, April 24th