Tag: Minnesota Wild vs. St. Louis Blues odds predictions pick betting line spread

The Minnesota Wild try to stave off elimination against the St. Louis Blues  Thursday in Game 6 of their 1st-round Western Conference playoff series. The Blues lead the series 3-2. Puck drop from Enterprise Center is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET (TNT).  Below, we look at the Wild vs. Blues odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.

We went against the grain and nailed it in Game 5 as the Blues took down the Wild 5-2 on the road. The Blues scored first, but the Wild answered and led 2-1 after the 1st period. St. Louis tied it late in the 2nd before RW Vladimir Tarasenko took over in the 3rd period with 3 goals to seal the deal.

Wild LW Kirill Kaprizov continued his dynamic play with 2 power-play goals. “Kirill the Thrill” has 7 goals and an assist in the series. Minnesota will bring everything they have Thursday trying to force a Game 7 back home.

Wild at Blues odds and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:06 p.m. ET.

• Money line: Wild -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Blues -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
• Against the spread (ATS): Wild +1.5 (-280) | Blues -1.5 (+195)
• Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -102 | U: -122)

Wild at Blues projected goalies

Marc-Andre Fleury (28-23-5, 2.90 GAA, .908 SV%, 4 SO – regular season) vs. Jordan Binnington (18-14-4, 3.13 GAA, .901 SV%, 2 SO – regular season)

Fleury has taken a step back with 4 goals allowed in each of the last 2 games. We mentioned Game 5 was his 14th start in the last 38 days. Do they go to Cam Talbot here, who hasn’t played in more than 2 weeks? Anything is possible, but it’s likely “The Flower” once again. Fleury has a .906 SV% in the series, and he’ll have to keep the Blues under 4 goals to win.

Binnington had another great game, stopping 30 of 32 shots, and Minnesota didn’t score at even strength. Binner has a .935 SV% and has only allowed 2 goals in each game. However, it has been his movement of the puck that has been the biggest difference. He has corralled rebounds and limited the Wild’s chances.

[tipico]

Wild at Blues picks and predictions

Prediction

Blues 5, Wild 3

Money line

The books have this one as a pick ’em, but they really have underrated the Blues this entire series. When St. Louis has lost, it lost its way — traveling too far for hits or because a defenseman was injured in each of the first 4 games.

D Torey Krug (knee) is out, and D Marco Scandella (lower body) is iffy, too. However, the reinforcements of D Nick Leddy and D Robert Bortuzzo lifted them in Game 5. I picked the Blues in 6 before the series, and that’s where we stand. BLUES -110 is the play, and according to Pregame.com, 70% of the cash is on that outcome.

Against the spread

The team that has scored first has won every game in the series, and every result has been by at least 3 goals. If you’re taking the Blues to end the series Thursday, we’re going with BLUES -1.5 (+195). They have been one of the better puck line teams in hockey all season.

Over/Under

The O/U is 3-2 in the series, 7-2 in the last 9 meetings and 4-1 in the last 5 in St. Louis. It’ll take 4 or 5 goals to win this one. If you’re more comfortable taking the Blues money line and puck line, then passing on the O/U makes sense. However, because of the firepower both offenses possess, we’ll LEAN OVER 6.5 (-102).

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The Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues square off Sunday in Game 4 of their 1st-round Western Conference playoff series. The Wild hold a 2-1 lead. Puck drop from Enterprise Center is set for 4:30 p.m. ET (TBS). Below, we look at the Wild vs. Blues odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.

Minnesota has looked fantastic since being shut out 4-0 in the series opener. The Wild took Game 2 by a 6-2 scoreline and gained their first series lead with a 5-1 victory in Game 3 Friday. LW Kirill Kaprizov has scored 4 times in the series while C Joel Eriksson Ek has 3 goals and 2 assists.

St. Louis has fallen behind early the last 2 games. The Blues have been outscored 5-0 in the 1st period of Games 2 and 3 combined, as G Ville Husso has struggled since posting a 37-save shutout in the opener.

Wild at Blues odds and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:36 a.m. ET.

• Money line: Wild -112 (bet $112 to win $100) | Blues -108 (bet $108 to win $100)
• Against the spread (ATS): Wild -1.5 (+205) | Blues +1.5 (-300)
• Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)

Wild at Blues projected goalies

Marc-Andre Fleury (28-23-5, 2.90 GAA, .908 SV%, 4 SO – regular season) vs. Ville Husso (25-7-6, 2.56 GAA, .919 SV%, 2 SO – regular season)

Fleury was sharp again Friday in Game 3 as he turned aside 29 of the 30 shots he faced. The veteran netminder has only allowed 3 goals on 64 shots in the last 2 games and seems to be settling in and providing the Wild with solid goaltending after a shaky series opener.

Husso’s series has gone in the opposite direction. After posting a tremendous 37-save shutout in Game 1, the rookie goaltender has given up 9 goals on 59 shots. He needs to be a lot sharper Sunday to get the Blues even in this series.

[tipico]

Wild at Blues picks and predictions

Prediction

Minnesota 4, St. Louis 2

Money line

The Wild are rolling right now and I see no reason that will stop Sunday.

The Blues are struggling to keep up with the Wild, particularly in 5-on-5 play, and Husso has looked shaky the last 2 games. Injuries are also beginning to pile up on the St. Louis blue line, which is surely a factor against a skilled offensive team like Minnesota.

D Nick Leddy may be back in the lineup after missing Games 2 and 3, but it  seems likely that D Robert Bortuzzo will remain sidelined after suffering a facial injury during a blocked shot in Game 2. D Torey Krug will miss the pivotal matchup after exiting Game 3 with a lower-body injury.

Take the WILD (-112) to pick up their 3rd win this series.

Against the spread

It would be nice to have a little more clarity on the Leddy and Bortuzzo situations for the Blues, but if those two important blue liners are unable to suit up for Game 4 it would be a massive blow for the home side.

You can SPRINKLE on WILD -1.5 (+205) either way, however. While it would be a more comfortable wager with those defensemen sidelined for sure, the Blues have allowed empty-net goals in each of the last 2 games with over 7 minutes remaining in regulation. Risking the empty cage for that long gives the Wild an adequate opportunity to make this a reality if they take a lead into the 3rd period.

Over/Under

If I had a lean here it would be to the Over 6.5 (-112) in large part based on the opportunity for empty-net goals to send us over the figure. However, Fleury has been dialed in and Husso has shown that he’s better than he’s performed the last 2 games and has the ability to stifle the Wild offense.

Two of the first 3 in this series went Under this number and it wouldn’t be entirely shocking to see that happen again. It’s a PASS for me.

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The Minnesota Wild (1-1) head to “The Lou” attempting to take back home-ice advantage against the St. Louis Blues (1-1) in Game 3 of their 1st-round Western Conference playoff series Friday. Puck drop from Enterprise Center is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET (TNT).  Below, we look at the Wild vs. Blues Game 3 odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.

The Wild were a mixture of very good and very lucky in Game 2. They got out to a quick 3-0 lead in the 1st period. Their opening goal was scored after a Blues’ player stick shattered in the defensive zone for an unfortunate turnover. Their second marker was scored on a power play from a questionable high-stick penalty on LW Kirill Kaprizov that resulted from an Oscar performance one of your favorite NBA floppers would be proud of.

Kaprivoz scored to close out the 1st period action and ultimately showed why he’ll be a household name in the hockey world very soon as he finished the game with a hat trick. After a 108-point season, the 25-year-old Russian had a signature performance and will be a force to reckon with for years to come.

The Blues have three starting defensemen banged up after D Nick Leddy missed Game 2 with an upper-body injury after being hit from behind into the boards in Game 1. D Robert Bortuzzo is likely out for Game 3 after he dropped down to block a shot that hit him in the face.

D Marco Scandella could be back from a lower-body injury, and that blue line needs him. The Blues battled back from 4-0 and nearly made it 4-3 with a couple of shots off the crossbar in the third. Down They pulled their goalie with about 7 minutes to go and couldn’t control the puck, and Minnesota sealed the deal with an empty-net goal to make it 6-2.

Wild at Blues odds and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:45 a.m. ET.

• Money line: Wild -103 (bet $103 to win $100) | Blues -117 (bet $117 to win $100)
• Against the spread (ATS): Wild +1.5 (-270) | Blues -1.5 (+190)
• Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -125 | U: +100)

Wild at Blues projected goalies

Marc-Andre Fleury (28-23-5, 2.90 GAA, .908 SV%, 4 SO – regular season) vs. Ville Husso (25-7-6, 2.56 GAA, .919 SV%, 2 SO – regular season)

Fleury was great in Game 2 and has played well in both games. He has stopped 59 of 65 shots for a .908 SV% in the series. His play seemed to frustrate the Blues offense Wednesday and he’ll have to be equally as good in this one for the Wild to prevail.

Husso took a step back Wednesday, but that was expected after the 37-save shutout in the opener. He allowed 5 goals on 27 shots but still has a .922 SV% in the series. The Wild were able to cause havoc in front of the net with the Blues missing some defensemen. That will be a key in this one.

[tipico]

Wild at Blues picks and predictions

Prediction

Blues 4, Wild 3

Money line

Give the Wild a lot of credit. They were frustrated and taking penalties because of it in Game 1, and they reversed that energy in Game 2. It wasn’t as close as the 6-2 score would indicate, and the Blues played well in the final two periods.

Look for St. Louis to get started early and try to light the lamp multiple times in the first. The books have been right both games, and they’re leaning toward the Blues in this one. They’ll score just enough to make up for their thin blue line. Remember, the Blues have won 8 of the last 10 games in the series. LEAN BLUES (-117).

Against the spread

There’s no value here for the Wild to keep it within a goal at -270, and it’s hard to trust the Blues to win by multiple goals right now. PASS.

Over/Under

The Under hit in Game 1, and the Over landed in Game 2. The Over is 5-1 in the last 6 games between these teams and in the Blues’ last 6 against Western Conference foes. The Over has been steamed up this morning from -108 to -125. That’s where we’ll LEAN OVER 6.5 (-125).

Watch: ESPN+ has become a must-have for hockey fans. Get access to more than 1,000 out-of-market NHL games, 75 weekly national games, and more all season. Sign up for ESPN+ now!

Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

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