The Blues will look to Jake Allen for another solid performance in Game 2 as they attempt to go back to Missouri with a two-game lead over their Central Division rivals.
Sportsbooks, however, are not confident the Blues can win two consecutive games in Minnesota and opened them as +175 underdogs. Let me begin this by saying I understand where the books were coming from when they set this line. St. Louis had its shot count doubled by the Wild in Game 1 and if it weren’t for Allen putting on a show, they would have been blown out.
That said, +175 is crazy value for a playoff game between two division rivals where the team on the right side of that value has dominated the head-to-head matchup. I will most certainly be putting my faith in Allen and the Blues in this one.
Many people will tell you magical tales of the zigzag theory which hypothesizes that a team that loses the first game in a playoff series is more likely to win the next game but in hockey, that’s not necessarily true. Since the 2004-05 lockout, home teams that lost the first game in a playoff series went on to win the next game 52.5 percent of the time – not a lock, by any means.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Sportsbooks such as Sportsbook had the Minnesota Wild as -195 favorites earlier today. The over under opened at 5 at Sportsbook for betting fans hoping to turn a profit on totals.
Odds Shark computer prediction formulas pick a 3.4-2.2 win for the Blues on Friday. 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
The St. Louis Blues will try to spoil to the party on Friday; they are 47-29-7 this season, while the Wild are 49-25-9. St. Louis is 34-36-13 on the totals; Minnesota is 42-32-9. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Minnesota vs St. Louis injuries news.
It's an NHL hockey betting matchup between the No. 16-rated Minnesota Wild and the No. 6-ranked St. Louis Blues, according to the latest NHL power poll here at Odds Shark.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Minnesota's No. 2-ranked offense, averaging 3.22 goals per game, against a Blues defense that ranks No. 12 at 2.64 goals allowed. The Wild power play is averaging 20.61% while the Blues defense kills off 84.96% of their penalties.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Last time out for St. Louis, they were a 2-1 Sportsbook as they battled the Wild on the road. Moneyline bettors who got the Blues at +150 were rewarded, while the 3 combined goals moved the game UNDER for totals bettors.
Next Betting Matchups
St. Louis home to Minnesota, Sunday, April 16th