The St. Louis Blues (16-14-6) play the second of a two-game set on the road against the Colorado Avalanche (24-8-4) Saturday with a 9 p.m. ET puck drop at Ball Arena. Below, we analyze the Blues-Avalanche odds and lines, with NHL picks and predictions.
The Blues fell 3-2 in the front end of the back-to-back in a well-played game on Friday night as the Under (6) connected. The Blues have now tied a season-high with a five-game winless drought.
The Avalanche have won three in a row, outscoring the opposition by a 17-7 count in victories over the Blues, Arizona Coyotes and Anaheim Ducks. Colorado has also picked up at least one point in 13 straight dating back to its last loss in regulation back on March 8 at home against Arizona.
Blue at Avalanche: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:31 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Blues +185 (bet $100 to win $185) | Avalanche -225 (bet $225 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Blues +1.5 (-150) | Avalanche -1.5 (+125)
- Over/Under: 6 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Blues at Avalanche: Projected starting goalies
Jordan Binnington (10-11-5, 2.79 GAA, .904 SV%) vs. Philipp Grubauer (22-7-1, 1.78 GAA, .928 SV%, 5 SO)
Binnington was on the short end of a 3-2 loss on Friday, but he stopped 36 of the 39 shots he faced in a solid appearance. He has posted an 0-3-1 record across his past four starts, but he has allowed three or fewer goals in each outing. The offense has provided him with just six total goals of support over his past five starts, and nine total goals over his past seven.
Grubauer has been Vezina quality so far this season. He was rested Friday, as Jonas Johansson picked up the victory. Now, Grubauer is rested and raring to go. He enters with a career-high 22 victories, and he is 1-1-0 with a 2.02 GAA and .925 SV% with one shutout against the Blues this season.
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Blues at Avalanche: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Avalanche 5, Blues 2
Money line (ML)
The Avalanche (-225) are just too expensive, costing you more than twice your potential return. While Binnington and the Blues have been shaky lately, it’s just too risky. PASS, and go with the puck line instead.
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Against the spread (ATS)
The AVALANCHE -1.5 (+125) are a good play on the puck line, as you are catching the Blues +1.5 (-150) on a five-game win drought.
They weren’t able to beat the backup, and it’s doubtful they’ll drop the red-hot Grubauer. St. Louis has had tremendous difficulty scoring goals lately, and it won’t get any better against Colorado’s starter.
Over/Under (O/U)
OVER 6 (+100) is the lean, even with Grubauer in the crease for the home side. St. Louis is averaging just 1.9 goals per game across the past 10 outings, so that’s a concern.
However, the Blues have coughed up 3.4 goals per game during the 10-game span, and the Avalanche are more than capable of doing much better than that.
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