Blues vs. Avalanche Game 1 Prediction
The Blues and Avalanche will play the opener of their divisional round semifinals on Monday night at 10:00 p.m. ET. With Colorado listed as a massive home favorite and the total sitting at 5.5, what’s the best bet in this Game 1 matchup?
Game Snapshot
005 St. Louis Blues (+220) at 006 Colorado Avalanche (-259); o/u 5.5
10:00 p.m. ET, Monday, May 17, 2021
Venue: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
St. Louis Blues DFS Spin
The St. Louis Blues will have to be at the top of their game in order to upset the Colorado Avalanche in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. “When we’re skating and we’re physical, I think we give [Colorado] a lot of issues,” Blues captain Ryan O’Reilly said. “Whether that’s forecheck or defending, when we play our heavy game and commit to it and put pucks in and don’t feed their rush, we make it tough on them and find ways to beat them. That’s what we’ve got to do. That’s got to be our focus.” Game 1 gets under way on Monday.
Colorado Avalanche DFS Spin
Nathan MacKinnon is ready to go in the postseason after missing four of final five regular-season games with two separate lower-body injuries. “I want to play every game. Obviously [needed to] take care of some little things,” MacKinnon said on Sunday. “It wasn’t anything major, I just wanted to be healthy come Game 1. Got some rest and some good treatment, and I’m feeling good.” He has been a full participant at practice for two straight days and he will be ready for Game 1 versus St. Louis on Monday night.
Blues vs. Avalanche NHL Prediction
The under has cashed in four of the last five meetings between these two teams in Colorado and is 4-1 in the Blues’ last five playoff games as an underdog. The under is also 5-2 in the Blues’ last seven games overall and is 16-6-1 in their last 23 games after scoring five goals or more in their previous game. On the other side, the under is 4-0-1 in the Avalanche’ last five games playing on three or more days of rest.
NHL PREDICTION: AVALANCHE/BLUES UNDER 5.5