Tag: St. Louis Blues betting odds line spread pick predictions best bets

St. Louis Blues at Minnesota Wild Game 2 odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday’s St. Louis Blues at Minnesota Wild Game 2 odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The St. Louis Blues (1-0) try to maintain a rhythm against the Minnesota Wild (0-1) for Game 2 of their 1st-round Western Conference playoff series Wednesday. Puck drop from Xcel Energy Center is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN).  Below, we look at the Blues vs. Wild Game 2 odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.

We said the Blues could steal Game 1, and they did more than just steal it. They owned Minnesota and quieted the Wild crowd as it headed for the exits with time on the clock. The Blues won 4-0 after an insane game by goaltender Ville Husso, who stopped all 37 shots fired his way.

The Wild ringed a couple of posts, but Husso shut down all of their high-danger chances in his first career playoff game. Blues LW David Perron had his first career playoff hat trick. Two of the goals came on the power play.

Things got out of control in a physical game, and the Blues’ special teams were the difference as they went 2-for-6 on the power play and shut Minnesota out on 6 power plays. Wild G Marc-Andre Fleury was actually really good despite the 4-0 score as he made a couple of acrobatic saves to keep his team in it. Minnesota had its chances as star LW Kirill Kaprizov had 5 shots on goal.

Blues at Wild 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 8:23 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Blues +102 (bet $100 to win $102) | Wild -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Blues +1.5 (-260) | Wild -1.5 (+185)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)

Blues at Wild projected goalies

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

No playoff experience? No problem. Husso was unflappable in stopping all 37 shots to shut out the Wild in Game 1.  He was 7-1-2 with a 3.05 GAA and a .910 SV% in April. The Finnish netminder stopped 66 of 74 shots in his two regular-season wins against Minnesota for a .892 SV%.

Fleury gave up 4 goals, but he was not terrible in Game 1, stopping 27 of 31 shots. Fleury was 0-3 against the Blues in the regular season as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks as he stopped 93 of 103 shots for a .903 SV% and 3.36 GAA. The veteran goalie is 90-71 with a .911 SV% in the playoffs throughout his career.

[tipico]

Blues at Wild picks and predictions

Prediction

Blues 4, Wild 2

Money line

Coming into this series, I picked the short-dog Blues in 6 games and I might shave that to 5 games after Game 1. The public is heavily behind Minnesota in this one as 90% of the cash and 70% of the tickets back them according to Pregame.com.

The Wild should be motivated because they got embarrassed in their own building, but the Blues’ best line of LW Pavel Buchnevich, C Robert Thomas and RW Vladimir Tarasenko were shut out, and they still won 4-0.

That can’t hold, and I have a difficult time fading a more experienced, heavily talented Blues team. The books feel the same way. Despite a heavy backing of Minnesota, their line hasn’t moved much. LEAN BLUES (+102).

Against the spread

There is no value in the goal of insurance at -260. The only play I would consider here is Blues -1.5 (+235). PASS.

Over/Under

The Under hit in the 4-0 shutout in Game 1, and we should see a little more offense out of a humbled Wild team. The Over is 4-1 in the last 5 between these teams and the last 5 games in Minnesota. However, this is playoff hockey, and both goalies played well in Game 1. We’re going to LEAN UNDER 6.5 (-112).

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).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]

St. Louis Blues at Minnesota Wild Game 1 odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Monday’s St. Louis Blues at Minnesota Wild Game 1 odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The St. Louis Blues skate north to take on the divisional-rival Minnesota Wild for Game 1 of their 1st-round Western Conference playoff series Monday. Puck drop from Xcel Energy Center is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+).  Below, we look at the Blues vs. Wild odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.

The Blues somewhat punted the last 2 games of the season as they really didn’t play with much vigor in a 5-3 loss at the Colorado Avalanche or 7-4 defeat to the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Blues should provide some value in this series because they’re underdogs despite being the better team. They have won 12 of their last 14 against the Wild in the regular season and they’ll win this series in 6 games or fewer if they get solid goaltending.

The Wild played some of the best hockey in the league down the stretch to win home-ice advantage. Minnesota was 12-2-2 in April, but the 2 overtime losses were to St. Louis. However, the Wild were down 4-1 in the most recent one and came storming back to force OT before succumbing to the Blues’ offensive pressure. The Wild can use their struggles as a chip on their shoulder against the confident Blues.

Blues at Wild 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 9:40 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Blues +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Wild -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Blues +1.5 (-210) | Wild -1.5 (+160)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)

Blues at Wild projected goalies

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

The 27-year-old Husso has no playoff experience, but he had a monster season on his way to free agency. He was 7-1-2 with a 3.05 GAA and a .910 SV% in April. The Finnish netminder stopped 66 of 74 shots in his two wins against Minnesota this season with a .892 SV%. He needs to be average or a little above for the Blues to win the series.

Fleury is expected to get the start over G Cam Talbot, who had trouble with St. Louis during the regular season. Fleury was 0-3 against the Blues this season as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks as he stopped 93 of 103 shots for a .903 SV% and 3.36 GAA. The veteran goalie is 90-70 with a .912 SV% in the playoffs throughout his career.

[tipico]

Blues at Wild picks and predictions

Prediction

Wild 5, Blues 4

Money line

The Blues could steal Monday’s game, but I think the Wild have the advantage. They played with a lot of heart down the stretch and didn’t cave under the pressure of being neck-and-neck with the Blues for home ice.

There are only a handful of players left from the Blues’ 18-19 Stanley Cup team. So there is some youth, especially in goal, and that may be enough for Minnesota to squeak by. I do think the Blues take 1 of the 2 opening games in Minnesota, but I’m more inclined to LEAN WILD (-145) in Game 1. Hold out until later in the day as 58% of the cash is on the Blues according to Pregame.com, which could bring the lines back in your favor a bit.

Against the spread

It’s hard to see the Wild winning by more than 1 goal as this game may need overtime to settle. PASS.

Over/Under

There were 38 goals scored in these two teams’ last 4 meetings. It’s somewhat surprising to see the juice on the Under. The Blues scored 4 or more goals in 12 straight games from March 28 to April 17, which was the eighth-longest streak in NHL history. They will score, but Minnesota is a physical team that grinds out wins. Take the OVER 6.5 (-107).

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).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]

St. Louis Blues at Nashville Predators odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s St. Louis Blues at Nashville Predators odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The St. Louis Blues (45-20-10) visit the Music City to face the Nashville Predators (43-27-5) Sunday at Bridgestone Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET (ESPN+ and NHL Network). Below, we look at the Blues vs. Predators odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.

The Blues pulled out a 6-5 overtime victory at the Minnesota Wild Saturday for their 8th win in a row and 9th of 10. The Blues were up 4-1 in the third period, and Minnesota scored 4 goals in the period to force OT. The Blues put it to bed less than one minute in the extra frame.

Nashville was barely able to skate by the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 Saturday. The Predators have been scuffling, just 2-3 with 8 goals in the last 5 games. They are very good on home ice, though, at 24-13 on the season.

Blues at Predators 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 1:08 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: Blues -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Predators -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Blues -1.5 (+200) | Predators +1.5 (-290)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -120 | U: -105)

Blues at Predators projected goalies

Jordan Binnington (15-13-4, 3.14 GAA, .902 SV%, 2 SO) vs. David Rittich (5-3-2, 3.21 GAA, .891 SV%)

After an ugly stretch of five straight losses, Binnington made some changes and won 2 straight. He looked poised and wasn’t flopping around the crease in panic mode, allowing just 3 goals on 68 shots, in the back-to-back victories. Nashville beat him 4-3 in overtime back in November as he stopped 23 of 27 shots.

Rittich was also in goal for that 4-3 OT decision. He stopped 33 of 36 shots in the win. His last start was last Sunday, a 3-2 overtime loss against Pittsburgh. He has just 5 starts this calendar year, and has allowed 3 or more goals in 4 of 5.

[tipico]

Blues at Predators picks and predictions

Prediction

Blues 5, Predators 4

Money line

With Saturday’s 6-5 OT win, the Blues set a franchise record by scoring 4 or more goals in 10 straight games.

Nashville is a tough team that plays well at home, but St. Louis won 7-4 there March 12, and lead the head-to-head series 2-1 this season.

The Blues’ offense has never been better. RW Vladimir Tarasenko has 7 goals and 4 assists in the last 4 games in one of his hottest stretches of his likely Hall of Fame career.

Could the Blues’ winning streak end here? Sure, but at -120, the BLUES are a bargain with the tear they’re on.

BACK THE BLUES (-120).

Against the spread

The Blues (-1.5, +200) win most of their games by more than 1 goal, but they toiled away a 4-1 lead Saturday, and D Nick Leddy (eye) is doubtful after he took a high stick to the face. The +200 price is tempting, but PASS.

Over/Under

There’s a lot of juice on the under here, and that could be because the Preds have just 8 goals in 5 games. They’re a good team, while the Blues likely score 4 goals. The Over is 4-0-1 in the Blues’ last 4 games and 7-0-1 in their last 8 on the road.

Binnington has been susceptible all season. So, let’s take the OVER 6.5 (+115).

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).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]

New York Islanders at St. Louis Blues odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s New York Islanders at St. Louis Blues odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The New York Islanders (33-28-9) fight to stay alive in the playoff hunt against the red-hot St. Louis Blues (41-20-10) Saturday at Enterprise Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we look at the Islanders vs. Blues odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.

The Islanders are coming off a big 2-1 road win over the Carolina Hurricanes Friday. The Isles are 7-3 over their last 10 outings and are 11 points out of a playoff spot with 12 games to go.

The Blues hit the ice fresh off a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Wild in overtime Friday. The win tied the Blues with the Wild for second place in the Central Division as the two are slated to match up in the first round right now.

Islanders at Blues odds, spread 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 10:15 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Islanders +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Blues -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Islanders +1.5 (-240) | Blues -1.5 (+175)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)

Islanders at Blues projected goalies

Semyon Varlamov (9-14-2, 2.70 GAA, .919 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Jordan Binnington (13-13-4, 3.25 GAA, .899 SV%, 2 SO)

Varlamov was great in G Ilya Sorokin‘s absence and has won three of his last four starts. He was 5-3-1 with a 3.00 GAA in March, but there were a couple of stinkers in there skewing the numbers upward.

It’s possible we could see G Ville Husso here given how shaky Binnington has been most of the year. Binnington was pulled after allowing 4 goals on 13 shots to the Edmonton Oilers last time out April 1, and the Blues came back and got a point in overtime. Binner was in net for the 2-1 loss at New York just over a month ago when he stopped 18 of 20 shots.

[tipico]

Islanders at Blues odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Blues 5, Islanders 3

Money line

The Blues were on fire Friday when they fell behind 3-1 less than a minute into the third frame and battled back to tie and eventually win it in overtime. 22-year-old C Robert Thomas has really come of age with 5 goals and 9 assists in the last eight games.

The Islanders have beaten some really good teams, including the Blues, over the last few weeks. They’re going to have trouble maintaining their rhythm at Enterprise. Take the BLUES (-145), but wait and see if it drops when Binnington is announced.

Against the spread

The Blues are a great puck line team at 41-30. Five of their last seven wins in this 10-game stretch have been by 2 or more goals. On the other hand, the Isles play teams close. It’ll take an empty-netter to seal the deal, but let’s put a half-unit on BLUES -1.5 (+175) after Binnington is confirmed.

Over/Under

The Blues have scored 4.1 goals per game over the last 10, which is easily among the best in the league. They also make their share of mistakes that lead to prime slot chances. This 5.5 really sticks out. You should go pound the OVER 5.5 (-112) before Binnington is confirmed, and this potentially goes to 6.5.

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).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]

St. Louis Blues at Calgary Flames odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s St. Louis Blues at Calgary Flames odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The St. Louis Blues (37-20-10) are north of the border to face the Pacific-leading Calgary Flames (40-18-9) Tuesday at Scotiabank Saddledome. Puck drop is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we look at the Blues vs. Flames odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.

This is a matchup of the fifth-best offense in hockey (St. Louis, 3.5 goals per game), and the second-best defense in hockey (Calgary, 2.4 goals against per game). The teams split their first two meetings this season with laughers at 7-1 and 5-1.

The Blues were lucky to pick up a point Friday at Edmonton as they tied it at 5 before losing in overtime despite trailing 4-1 in the first period. G Ville Husso was unbelievable, stopping 25 of 27 shots after he was thrust into action in the first period after G Jordan Binnington allowed 4 goals on 13 shots. C Jordan Kyrou (illness) has been out for the last two games and remains questionable. His return would provide a spark.

Calgary is on the tail end of trading two-game winning and losing streaks. They lost to the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 in a shootout Thursday.

Blues at Flames odds, spread 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 11:08 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Blues +200 (bet $100 to win $200) | Flames -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Blues +1.5 (-125) | Flames -1.5 (+100)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -105 | U: -120)

Blues at Flames projected goalies

Ville Husso (18-6-5, 2.40 GAA, .923 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Jacob Markstrom (31-13-8, 2.15 GAA, .925 SV%, 9 SO)

Husso has been the Blues’ MVP and they wouldn’t be in the playoff picture without him. It’s going to be tough to rebound for this peak matchup if they ask him to 24 hours after he was thrust into action at Edmonton. Husso stopped 28 of 29 shots in the 5-1 win in January, and he stopped all 13 shots he saw in relief of Binnington in the 7-1 loss before that.

Markstrom, who leads the league in shutouts, was the starter in both of the matchups this season. He stopped 43 of 49 shots across one great performance and one flat one. He’ll be the difference either way Saturday.

[tipico]

Blues at Flames odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Flames 4, Blues 3

Money line

Let’s start out by saying the Blues could absolutely steal Saturday’s game. They get down early in a lot of games but they have so much talent on offense that they can crawl back into it. However, I’m not confident enough to go on the money line here with a potentially tired goalie between the pipes. The Blues have also lost four in a row on no rest. PASS.

Against the spread

Let’s put that 7-1 Flames win in perspective. St. Louis didn’t show up for that game and Calgary scored all 7 of its goals in the first two frames. So we’re not going to put much stock in that offensive barrage. The Blues are 17-16 on the puck line on the road and can score with anyone. They just tend to make ridiculous decisions in the D-zone that lead to easy chances. They will fight, though, and that’s why we’re leaning BLUES +1.5 (-125).

Over/Under

The Over is 5-0 in the Blues’ last five road games and 6-1 in their last seven overall. This has an Over feel with a tired or struggling goalie for St. Louis and with a thunderous offense that already put up 5 goals on Markstrom earlier this year. Calgary is inconsistent, but they can drop 9 on you in a hurry. Take the OVER 6.5 (-105).

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).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]

St. Louis Blues at Vancouver Canucks odds, picks, and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday’s St. Louis Blues at Vancouver Canucks odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The St. Louis Blues (36-20-9) kick off a three-game western Canadian road trip against the Vancouver Canucks (32-27-9) at Rogers Arena Wednesday. Puck drop is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we look at the Blues vs. Canucks odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.

The Blues registered a 4-1 victory at home against the Canucks in Enterprise Center in the front end of the home-and-home set Monday. It was the ninth consecutive game scoring two or more goals.

The Canucks wrapped up a four-game road trip with a 2-1-1 record, with the only loss in regulation against St. Louis Monday. Vancouver has scored just 14 goals across the past seven contests, or 2.0 goals per game.

Blues at Canucks odds, spread 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 7:30 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Blues -108 (bet $108 to win $100) | Canucks -112 (bet $112 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Blues +1.5 (-290) | Canucks -1.5 (+200)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +115 | U: -145)

Blues at Canucks projected goalies

Jordan Binnington (13-13-4, 3.14 GAA, .901 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Thatcher Demko (28-19-5, 2.66 GAA, .917 SV%, 1 SO)

Binnington allowed four goals on 26 shots in his most recent showing last Thursday against Philadelphia, slipping to .500. He is now 0-3-1 with a 3.28 GAA and .882 SV% in four starts in the month of March.

Demko wasn’t in between the pipes for the win Monday in St. Louis, it was backup Jaroslav Halak. But Demko was sharp in his most recent showing, allowing just one goal on 36 shots in a 4-1 win at Dallas Saturday.

[tipico]

Blues at Canucks odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Canucks 3, Blues 2

Money line

The CANUCKS (-112) are worth a play as they look to pay back the Blues (-108) after a disappointing loss Monday. St. Louis has really played down to its competition, going 1-5 in the past six games against teams with a losing overall record.

While the Canucks are just 1-5 in the past six at home, Vancouver is 10-4 in the past 14 as a favorite.

Against the spread

The Blues +1.5 (-290) will cost you nearly three times your potential return, and that’s just way too expensive, even though this should be a close game. If you like St. Louis to get the win again, just play them straight up.

PASS.

Over/Under

UNDER 6.5 (-145) is the best play on the board here. The Blues have hit the Over in four of the past five, but the Under result was the first end of the home-and-home.

For the Canucks, they have scored 15 total goals in the past seven outings, while allowing 18 goals during the stretch. The Under has cashed in five straight for Vancouver, too.

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 Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. 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).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]

Vancouver Canucks at St. Louis Blues odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Monday’s Vancouver Canucks at St. Louis Blues odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Vancouver Canucks (32-26-6) head southeast to take on the St. Louis Blues (35-20-6) Monday at Enterprise Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we look at the Canucks vs. Blues odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.

The Canucks have struggled of late, winning just four of the last 10 games. They’re three points behind the Vegas Golden Knights for the last wild-card spot in the West. Vancouver beat the Dallas Stars 4-1 Saturday.

The Blues are reeling. Once firmly entrenched in the playoffs, they’re now just three points from missing the postseason. St. Louis was embarrassed on home ice in a 7-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes Saturday. The team has started slowly and gotten behind far too often in games. This is a must-win for them on the front end of a home-and-home with Vancouver.

Canucks at Blues odds, spread 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 3:36 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: Canucks +130 (bet $100 to win $130) | Blues -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Canucks +1.5 (-205) | Blues -1.5 (+155)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +110 | U: -135)

Canucks at Blues projected goalies

Jaroslav Halak (3-6-2, 3.19 GAA, .894 SV%) vs. Ville Husso (16-6-4, 2.43 GAA, .922 SV%, 2 SO)

Halak returns to St. Louis, where he spent much of the prime of his career, and he’s doing so after a great performance against the Colorado Avalanche. He stopped 32 of 33 shots and was a big reason for last week’s 3-1 upset over the Avs.

Husso has really struggled, allowing five goals in two of the last three games. His numbers are still good, but they’re not indicative of how he and the whole team has played the last month or so. Husso shut down the Canucks in January as he stopped 38 of 39 shots in a 3-1 win.

[tipico]

Canucks at Blues odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Blues 5, Canucks 3

Money line

The Blues (-160) are only favored because they’re at home. They NEED this game, and when they play hard, they win by more than one. Let’s PASS  and look to the puck line.

Against the spread

The Blues have been atrocious of late, but the Canucks haven’t been great either. They have averaged 2.8 goals per game over the last 10. The Blues have averaged 3.4 goals. So they are still scoring, but the effort hasn’t been there on backchecking. You can be sure coach Craig Berube has challenged the team to re-focus.

When the Blues win, they win by two or more goals. So if we’re going to back the idea that the Blues right the ship on home ice, let’s do it here. Take BLUES -1.5 (+155).

Over/Under

Even while mired in one of their worst stretches of the season, the Blues are 7-3 against the Over in the last 10. I’m not a fan of 6.5 overs, but the shoe fits here. LEAN OVER 6.5 (+110).

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).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]

St. Louis Blues at New York Islanders odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s St. Louis Blues at New York Islanders odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The St. Louis Blues (32-15-4) will face the New York Islanders (20-23-8) Saturday at UBS Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Blues vs. Islanders odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.

St. Louis has been in the Big Apple for a few days. The Blues’ last game was a 5-3 loss at the New York Rangers Wednesday. St. Louis trailed 2-0 but stormed back with 3 goals to take a 3-2 lead at the end of the second period. However, they struggled with puck possession and were outscored 3-0 in the third.

The Isles have lost the last two, and four of five, in a tough stretch for them. They scored 3.0 goals per game during the five-game stretch, but their defense has been paltry. D Zdeno Chara (upper body) and C Mathew Barzal (lower body) are questionable for this one.

Blues at Islanders odds, spread 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 3:51 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Blues -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | Islanders +122 (bet $100 to win $122)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Blues -1.5 (+165) | Islanders +1.5 (-220)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -105 | U: -120)

Blues at Islanders projected goalies

Jordan Binnington (13-10-3, 3.12 GAA, .904 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Ilya Sorokin (17-12-7, 2.42 GAA, .922 SV%, 5 SO)

After the worst stretch of his career, Binnington has been great in his last two games, allowing just one goal on 56 shots in defeating the Philadelphia Flyers and Chicago Blackhawks. He has reduced his GAA from 3.35 to 3.12 during this hot streak.

The 26-year-old Sorokin has been great in the first 58 games of his career the last two seasons. He’s 30-18-10 with a 2.33 GAA and .921 SV%. The Islanders defense, which ranks eighth in the NHL, has let him down of late.

Exclusive USA TODAY Network offer: Deposit $10 or more, get $200 in instant bet credits at Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Place your legal, online sports bets at Tipico. Let’s make this interesting. Bet now!

Blues at Islanders odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Blues 4, Islanders 2

Money line

The BLUES (-150) are just inside my range for money line bets. They looked good at times on offense Wednesday, but they were a tick off on their zone entries and passing. That puck possession ultimately stung them. They have been hanging out in NYC the last couple of days and should have solid footing under them in this one.

Against the spread

The BLUES -1.5 (+165) are at a lavish price, but you may be sweating this one out until the end. The Blues are a good puck-line team at 31-22 this year. Their last 10 wins have all been by 2 goals or more. So, if you’re in on the money line, let’s go all-in on the puck line.

Over/Under

This is a tough one to gauge because Binnington, who is projected to start, has been awesome the last two games. Slightly lean to the OVER 5.5 (-105), or avoid it altogether.

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!

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).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]

St. Louis Blues at New York Rangers odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Wednesday’s St. Louis Blues at New York Rangers odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The St. Louis Blues (32-14-6) travel to meet the New York Rangers (33-15-5) Wednesday at Madison Square Garden. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we look at the Blues vs. Rangers odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.

The Blues have registered four consecutive victories. They’re 6-0-1 across the past seven games while outscoring the opposition by a 31-13 count, including a 4-0 shutout win in Chicago Sunday.

The Rangers were on the short end of a 5-2 loss against the Vancouver Canucks last time out on Sunday, a second straight loss after a 5-0-1 run from Jan. 30-Feb. 24. New York has dropped two of the past three games against Western Conference opponents.

Blues at Rangers odds, spread 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 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Blues -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Rangers -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Blues +1.5 (-320) | Rangers -1.5 (+210)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -120 | U: -105)

Blues at Rangers projected goalies

Jordan Binnington (13-10-3, 3.12 GAA, .904 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Igor Shesterkin (25-6-3, 1.95 GAA, .941 SV%, 3 SO)

Binnington posted a shutout of the Blackhawks in Chicago Sunday, as he turned aside all 30 of the shots he faced. He has picked up two straight victories, both in road games, stopping 55 of the 56 shots he has faced.

Shesterkin is coming off a hard-luck loss last time out at Pittsburgh Saturday, stopping 25 of 26 shots in a 1-0 loss. He is still 4-1-1 with a 1.31 GAA and .959 SV% in six starts in the month of February.

Exclusive USA TODAY Network offer: Deposit $10 or more, get $200 in instant bet credits at Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Place your legal, online sports bets at Tipico. Let’s make this interesting. Bet now!

Blues at Rangers odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Rangers 3, Blues 2

Money line

The RANGERS (-110) are a solid play on home ice behind their Vezina Trophy candidate Shesterkin. The Blueshirts have cashed in nine of the past 12 home games, while going 21-8 across the past 29 as a home favorite.

Against the spread

The Blues +1.5 (-320) will cost you over three times your potential return if you’re looking for a little bit of insurance. While Binnington has been hot lately, it’s a tall order for St. Louis to win at MSG. If you like St. Louis, just play them straight up, although it’s not a recommended bet against the red-hot Shesterkin.

PASS.

Over/Under

The UNDER 5.5 (-105) is good play with two goaltenders playing very well lately. Binnington has allowed just one total goal in the past two starts, while Shesterkin has been on fire for the entire season. The latter has a 1.91 GAA at home this season, so goals are going to be at a premium.

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!

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 Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. 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).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]

Buffalo Sabres at St. Louis Blues odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Friday’s Buffalo Sabres at St. Louis Blues odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Buffalo Sabres (16-28-8) head west to face the St. Louis Blues (30-14-6) Friday at Enterprise Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we look at the Sabres vs. Blues odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.

The Sabres were blanked 4-0 at the Montreal Canadiens Wednesday. They’ll be fired up to light the lamp in “The Lou” as they have now lost four in a row. Look for them to apply pressure early and maybe sneak one in.

St. Louis delivered a convincing 4-1 road win over the Philadelphia Flyers Tuesday and has had a couple of days to rest. G Jordan Binnington was great in net, and RW Vladimir Tarasenko returned from a one-game absence with a goal.

Sabres at Blues odds, spread 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 9:28 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Sabres +230 (bet $100 to win $230) | Blues -300 (bet $100 to win $300)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Sabres +1.5 (+105) | Blues -1.5 (-130)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -140 | U: +112)

Sabres at Blues projected goalies

Craig Anderson (6-6-0, 2.92 GAA, .907 SV%) vs. Jordan Binnington (12-10-3, 3.25 GAA, .900 SV%, 1 SO)

Anderson is 1-4-0 with a 3.83 GAA and has allowed 3 goals or more in four of five games in February. That figures to happen again Friday as the team continues to rebuild.

Binnington put on a show Tuesday in a statement game for the struggling goaltender as he allowed just 1 goal on 26 shots to the Flyers. He was terrible beforehand allowing 18 goals in three previous games. Look for him to get one more start here in a soft spot to continue to get right.

Exclusive USA TODAY Network offer: Deposit $10 or more, get $200 in instant bet credits at Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Place your legal, online sports bets at Tipico. Let’s make this interesting. Bet now!

Sabres at Blues odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Blues 4, Sabres 2

Money line

The Blues (-300) are too expensive to play on the money line most nights and this slate is no different. PASS

Against the spread

The BLUES -1.5 (-130) have won six of 10 games, and all of those wins have been by at least 2 goals. They’re 7-0 in the last seven games when playing on two days’ rest or more. This could even wind up being a 5-1 score considering how good Binnington looked against Philadelphia.

Over/Under

OVER 5.5 (-140) is the way to go here with a lot of juice in tow. It’s surprising that the Over didn’t open at 6.5 with the way the Blues have been playing. If it goes there, stay away. However, we’ll light the lamp on a 5.5 total.

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!

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).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]