Blues vs Avalanche Odds & Picks: St. Louis Looks To Even Series After Tough Loss

The St. Louis Blues (53-24-12) will try to bounce back from an overtime loss in the series opener when they visit the Colorado Avalanche (61-19-7) again Thursday in Game 2 as big road underdogs. The Blues vs Avalanche prediction still surprisingly has the visitors as the higher-ranked team despite the odds saying otherwise, especially since the hosts opened as even larger favorites this time.

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Blues vs Avalanche Odds & Analysis

Sportsbook Odds 

Unlike Game 1, St. Louis is getting some early love from bettors who seem to think the line opened a bit too high for Game 2. The Blues went toe to toe with the Avalanche in the series opener, scoring the first goal and then tying it up at the 16:46 mark of the third period before falling in OT. Goaltender Jordan Binnington turned in perhaps his best performance of the postseason, albeit in a losing effort, making 51 saves and keeping the Blues competitive throughout. Without Binnington, this game would not have been close. Colorado still got the win, though, and its goalie, Darcy Kuemper, looked solid too in his first game back from an eye injury. 

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St. Louis Hoping To Earn Series Split Before Heading Home

Going into a playoff series, a split of the Sportsbook two games is usually the main objective of the road team so it can take home-ice advantage, which means the Blues can still achieve that goal with a victory in Game 2.

They stole Game 1 against the Minnesota Wild in the first round and that really set the tone for that series. Even though Minnesota won the next two games, St. Louis knew it could win on the opposition’s ice, which is huge for confidence.

While the Game 1 result was not what the Blues wanted, they played the Avalanche harder than anyone so far and nearly won.

Colorado Needs To Respond With More Offense In Game 2

The Avalanche did what they needed to do in the opener and that was earn a win. It does not matter how they got it, as some victories will quite simply be uglier than others.

But they did give their opponent some confidence, and that could very well carry over into Game 2. Colorado’s plan for Game 2 is to come out stronger right out of the gates and put some doubts in Binnington’s mind by scoring early.

The series opener was the first game of the playoffs in which Nathan MacKinnon did not score a goal, and he needs to be the one who makes a statement after picking up just one assist after eight shots. The Blues vs Avalanche prediction is dependent on MacKinnon being a factor in Game 2.

Blues vs Avalanche Pick & Insights

Blues: Keys To Victory

St. Louis would prefer to play lower-scoring games in this series, as the team has won six of its last nine when the total goes UNDER. Binnington is the obvious key once again, as he will dictate whether or not this game finishes OVER or UNDER the total. Another strong outing will give the Blues a chance to tie the series going back home.

Avalanche: Keys To Victory

Colorado went scoreless in the first period of Game 1 and must find a way to get an early goal on Binnington one way or another in Game 2. The Avalanche were 0-for-3 on the power play in the opener and saw the Blues’ Jordan Kyrou score on the PP to send the game to overtime on St. Louis’ only opportunity. Colorado is used to scoring a lot more and must create more chances. If you are taking the hosts with your Blues vs Avalanche pick, then you believe they will do just that and grab a 2-0 series lead.  

NHL Computer Pick: Avalanche -240

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