NHL playoff sequence odds: St. Louis Blues vs. Minnesota Wild
Odds supplied by BetMGM
Blues +130 vs. Wild -150
Simply probably the most polarizing sequence within the Western Convention, each St. Louis and Minnesota have loads of folks making arguments for them to win this sequence and maybe upset the apple cart in opposition to the Avalanche in Spherical 2. And each side of the controversy have loads of benefit.
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At first look, there actually isn’t a lot that separates these two groups. Minnesota earned home-ice benefit because of its superior common season file, however the Wild solely completed 4 factors forward of the Blues and it was St. Louis that completed 12 objectives to the nice in response to objective differential.
In the event you go one step additional, the narrative stays the identical. Minnesota completed second total in objectives scored at 5-on-5, whereas St. Louis completed fifth. And each groups over-performed mightily in response to their anticipated objectives. The Wild scored 3.23 objectives per 60 minutes at 5-on-5, however solely created 2.45 xG/60. Equally, the Blues averaged 2.99 objectives per 60, however solely generated 2.44 xG/60. These numbers recommend each offenses had been a bit fortunate to hit the heights they did in the course of the season, nevertheless it additionally tells you that each golf equipment are medical and have the ending and play-making expertise to generate high quality alternatives.
Blues vs. Wild sequence prediction
Whereas the 2 offenses grade out fairly evenly in response to the numbers, the Blues have the deeper assault. Rolling three strains that may rating any time they’re on the ice, St. Louis is a matchup nightmare. The No. 1 line that includes Robert Thomas between two-way dynamo Pavel Buchnevich and the resurgent Vladimir Tarasenko has developed into one of many league’s finest trios and for those who hold them quiet it’s solely a part of the battle as a result of they've loads of back-up in Ryan O’Reilly, David Perron, Brandon Saad, Jordan Kyrou and Brayden Schenn.
Minnesota’s top-nine is probably not as deep as its rival, however the Wild do have this sequence finest participant in Kirill Kaprizov.
For the previous handful of seasons, Minnesota has been one of many NHL’s finest defensive golf equipment. Consultants at defending the center of the ice and limiting high quality scoring probabilities, the Wild would typically be criticized for sacrificing offense for protection an excessive amount of. The arrival of Kaprizov and the next emergence of Kevin Fiala modified all of that. With Kaprizov and Fiala up high, the Wild characteristic two scoring strains that may repay all of the defensive work executed behind them.
Regardless of the crew getting extra consideration for its offensive output lately, Minnesota’s protection nonetheless does the trick. The Wild completed second within the NHL in stopping anticipated objectives and high-danger scoring probabilities at 5-on-5.
Whereas public xG fashions fee Minnesota’s protection as one of many NHL’s high models, the Blues are within the bottom-third in suppressing high quality probabilities. That leaky protection hasn’t bit the Blues all that a lot this season due to St. Louis’ capacity to attain and the goaltending efficiency from Ville Husso.
The breakout goaltender of the season, Husso posted a .919 save share and a +14.2 Objectives Saved Above Anticipated (GSAx) in 40 video games. And whereas Husso ought to be the Sport 1 starter, the Blues have a safety blanket behind him in Stanley Cup hero Jordan Binnington. Binnington under-performed within the common season, however he’s simply one of many strongest deputies within the postseason and offers St. Louis some insurance coverage ought to Husso battle in his first style of the playoffs.
The goaltender on the different finish of the ice doesn’t want to fret about playoff expertise. A commerce deadline acquisition, Marc-Andre Fleury has 162 postseason video games below his belt in his profession and has improved his kind since coming over to the Wild. Whereas his numbers nonetheless don’t sparkle, Fleury’s .908 save share and -1.28 GSAx in 11 video games with Minnesota do recommend he’s discovering his recreation.
Each the Wild and Blues come into the postseason in nice kind. Each golf equipment loved unbelievable offensive seasons. And each groups might be thought-about a possible sleeper within the Western Convention. There simply actually isn’t that a lot that separates these two golf equipment.
Regardless of which manner you slice it, this sequence appears to be like like it will likely be fairly shut and that places some worth on the Blues since they’re sitting at +130 to win the sequence.
NHL playoff sequence betting decide: St. Louis Blues +130
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