St. Louis Blues (27-20-9) vs. Colorado Avalanche (39-13-4) NHL Playoffs Betting

To start the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Avalanche is favored to host hockey’s Holy Chalice.  Since opening night, Colorado has been among the top-tier favorites.  Adding to their cache with the NHL Playoff odds is the Presidents’ Trophy bestowed upon the top regular-season team.  But the Avalanche have a potentially dangerous opening-round playoff series.  Two years ago, the Blues won the Stanley Cup.  St. Louis is a somewhat different team compared to their 2019 vintage.  However, Blues captain Ryan O’Reilly is on record for stating the Blues will upset the Avalanche.  Gamblers vehemently disagree.

West Division First Round

St. Louis Blues (27-20-9) vs. Colorado Avalanche (39-13-4)

CashBet Odds:  St. Louis Blues +255 vs. Colorado Avalanche -335

Blues vs. Avalanche Series Schedule

Monday, May 17: Blues at Avalanche, 10 p.m. ET (NBCSN)
Wednesday, May 19: Blues at Avalanche, 10:30 p.m. ET (CNBC)
Friday, May 21: Avalanche at Blues, 9:30 p.m. ET (USA Network)
Sunday, May 23: Avalanche at Blues TBD
*Tuesday, May 25: Blues at Avalanche TBD
*Thursday, May 27: Avalanche at Blues TBD
*Saturday, May 29: Blues at Avalanche TBD

*=If Necessary

St. Louis Blues vs. Colorado Avalanche CashBet Wagering Analysis

At the onset, Colorado is one of the most heavily beat teams to beat the sportsbook odds.  Many observers believe the Avalanche should have won the 2020 Stanley Cup.  Counter to that is a Blues team that has been too inconsistent for gamblers to stomach.  Some bargain hunters will prefer the St. Louis price.

O’Reilly Vows Sweet Music for the Blues

Namely, goaltender Jordan Binnington holds the key to the Blues Betting on NHL Playoffs hopes.  This year Binnington was wildly inconsistent.  He finished with a .910 save percentage and 2.65 goals-against average.  Meanwhile, captain Ryan O’Reilly was the rock of the team. O’Reilly scored 24 goals, 30 assists, and a +26.

An Avalanched of Profits and a Presidents’ Trophy  

Of major concern is if goalie Philipp Grubauer is ready to emerge as a Stanley Cup Playoffs betting asset.  Grubauer posted an impressive .922 save percentage and 1.95 goals-against average with seven shutouts this season.  Right-wing Mikko Rantanen scored 30 goals with 36 assists and a +30.  Center Nathan MacKinnon added 20 goals, 45 assists, and a +22.  While defenseman Cale Makar added eight goals, 36 assists, and a +17.

St. Louis Blues vs. Colorado Avalanche Betting Trends

Colorado was 22-4-2 on home ice this season.   Accordingly, the Avalanche won their nine most recent home games.  Four of Colorado’s last five home games went over the total.  Specifically, on the road, the Avalanche went 17-9-2.  Colorado got the cash in four of their most recent five-away games.  Five of their last seven away games stayed under the total.

Of great concern is that the Blues were 12-11-5 on home ice.  St. Louis did get the cash in eight of their most recent 11 home games.  Four of their last six home games went under the total.  St. Louis went 15-9-4 on the road.  In their most recent 11 away games, the Blues paid only three times. St. Louis went over the total in four of their last six road tilts.

St. Louis Blues vs. Colorado Avalanche Head-to-Head Betting Trends

To summarize, the Avalanche are 8-3 in their most recent 11 games with St. Louis.  Only three of the last six between these two teams went over the total.  Specifically at Colorado, the Avalanche are 6-1 against the Blues.  Four of the most recent five in this series at Colorado stayed under the total.  But at St. Louis, the Blues are 14-4 against the Avs.  Only one of the most recent five in this series at St. Louis went under the total.

St. Louis Blues vs. Colorado Avalanche CashBet Free Pick  

On the whole, the Avalanche are not cheap.  But Colorado is the deeper and more consistent NHL gambling choice.

Blues vs. Avalanche CashBet Best Bet: 

Colorado Avalanche