Blues Face Difficult Series Against Favored Wild at 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The St. Louis Blues won the 2019 Stanley Cup championship with an old-school formula.  Specifically, it was heavy play, defense, and goaltending.  Big players manhandling other clubs was the NHL betting formula for success.  Goaltender Jordan Binnington was a career minor leaguer that emerged as a hero in backstopping that championship run.  Subsequently, the Blues have changed their playing style and identity this season.  Offense and skill are the St. Louis meal ticket.  Minnesota is a difficult opening-round opponent.  Although the Blues dominated the Wild in the regular season, this series looks even

St. Louis Blues Odds to Win the Stanley Cup:  +2000

St. Louis Blues Bring Rich History of Passion and Glory

At the beginning, the St. Louis Blues were part of the NHL 1967 “Great Expansion” when the league doubled from six to 12 teams.  The Blues made the Stanley Cup Final in their first three seasons by winning the “West” Division comprised of the six expansion teams.  As a result, the Blues started leading the entire NHL in attendance for most of their first decade of existence.  St. Louis finally won its first Stanley Cup in 2019.   Now St. Louis is firmly established as one of the great legacy franchises in the NHL.

St. Louis has found a combination of stability and consistency with chairman Tom Stillman and general manager Doug Armstrong.  To illuminate, Armstrong has done a masterful job of keeping the team a contender.  Most important of all, Armstrong delivered the Stanley Cup banner that had painfully eluded this franchise.

CashBet Wagering Analysis

St. Louis has become faster, more skilled, and higher scoring.  At the same time, Binnington struggles to keep his net with inconsistent play.  But a strong stretch drive by the Blues impressed sportsbook gamblers.

Blues vs. Wild Series Schedule

All Times Eastern

Game 1:  May 2 – 9:30 p.m. – Stars at Flames – ESPN

Game 2:  May 4 – 9:30 p.m. – Blues at Wild – ESPN

Game 3:  May 6 – 9:30 p.m. – Wild at Blues – TNT

Game 4:  May 8 – 4:30 p.m. – Wild at Blues – TBS

Game 5:  May 10 – TBD – Blues at Wild – TBD

Game 6:  May 12 – TBD – Wild at Blues – TBD

Game 7:  May 14 – TBD – Blues at Wild – TBD

By The Book – St. Louis Blues Won Games and Cash

The Blues had a betting on NHL record of 49-21-11 and 47-34 over and under the total.  On home ice, St. Louis was 26-9-5 and 20-19-1 over and under the total.  At the same time, the Blues were 23-12-6 and 24-16-1 over and under the total on the road.  St. Louis had NHL metrics of 3rd for goal scoring, 2^nd for power-play efficiency, 10^th for goals allowed, and 4^th for penalty killing.

Berube Leads a Proven Group of Blues

Head coach Craig Berube carried the interim tag throughout the 2019 Stanley Cup championship run.  Of course, Berube was named “permanent” head coach after the championship.  This year Berube earned an extension on his contract.  Berube is a perfect pro hockey betting fit in the Gateway City.  To illuminate, the players respond to his leadership.

Right-wing Vladimir Tarasenko led the hockey betting offensive surge by the Blues.  In turn, Tarasenko amassed 34 goals, 48 assists, and a +10.

St. Louis has great NHL gambling depth down the middle with centers Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, Ivan Barbashev, Brayden Schenn, and captain Ryan O’Reilly.  Consider that all of these icemen totaled 55 points or more.  Additional help came from left wing Pavel Buchnevich with 30 goals, 46 assists and a +33.

Namely, Ville Husso began the season as a backup to Jordan Binnington.  Husso has made a strong bid to win the top spot with a .921 save percentage in 37 starts.  In comparison, Binnington has a save percentage of .901 in 37 starts.