In the minds of many hockey fans, this Blues vs Avalanche Western Conference semi-finals is the least interesting of all the remaining 2022 NHL Playoffs matchups. The Avalanche have been dominant in every sense of the word. Cale Makar is the best defenseman, and maybe the best remaining hockey player, in the world right now. He set a franchise record with 10 points in the first four NHL Playoffs games, leading the charge in an Avalanche sweep of the Predators. The Blues were impressive in the opening round as well, winning three in a row to close out the series against a very good Minnesota Wild team. They really found their stride after going to Jordan Binnington in the net following a Game 3 loss. As you will see below, Binnington stepped in and was nearly perfect the rest of the series, lifting the Blues over Minnesota with ease.
Let’s take a look at the betting odds and season history for the series, and give our Blues vs Avalanche NHL Playoffs prediction.
Blues vs Avalanche NHL Playoff Series Preview and Stream
NHL Playoffs Round 2
Blues vs Avalanche
Venue: Enterprise Center – St. Louis, MO / Ball Arena – Denver, CO
Coverage: TNT / ESPN
Goaltending:
STL: Jordan Binnington (3-0/1.67/.943 – Expected Starter) / Ville Husso (1-2/3.02/.906)
COL: Darcy Kuemper (2-0/1.63/.964 – Expected Starter) / Pavel Francouz (2-0/2.97/.902)
Blues vs Avalanche Record | Regular Season History
We only got to see Blues vs Avalanche three times in the regular season, but if their NHL playoffs matchup goes anything the same as those games did, the over is very much in play all series long. The games were high-scoring but close. The teams combined for 23 total goals but had a goal differential of just one in favor of the Avalanche. Colorado was also able to win two of the three contests.
Blues vs Avalanche NHL Playoff Series Betting Odds
NHL Betting odds for Blues vs Avalanche are taken from BetUS Sportsbook.
Moneyline: STL: (+320) | COL: (-400)
Series Total Games: 5.5 — Over: (-130) | Under: (-110) / 6.5 — Over: (+250) | Under: (-400)
Series Spread: STL: +1.5 (+140) | COL: -1.5 (-180) / STL: -1.5 (+500) | COL: +1.5 (-900)
Public Betting via Action Network: STL: (21%) | COL: (79%)
Odds to Win Stanley Cup: STL: (+1600) | COL: (+175)
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Blues vs Avalanche NHL Playoff Series Keys to Victory
St. Louis Blues: Playing with the Avalanche is no easy task. More than anything else in this series, the Blues are going to have to be disciplined. The biggest advantage they have against Colorado is their ability to stay out of the box. The Blues averaged the third least penalty minutes per game in the NHL this season, while the Avalanche commit penalties at a top-10 rate. If St. Louis can stay disciplined and not take stupid penalties in times of frustration, they should have the upper hand in special teams, which is something that can be a make or break difference in this series. The Blues also have an extremely effective power play, converting 27% of the time, the second-highest rate in the NHL. The lack of penalties taken mixed with the ability to score at will on the power play is a deadly mix for opponents.
Colorado Avalanche: Colorado needs to do all they can to not commit penalties, especially in the third period. They know how good the Blues are with the extra attacker and are not exactly an elite penalty-killing team. They are deeper and more skilled at every position on the ice but faced a very easy opponent in the first round compared to what they are about to see from St. Louis. Keeping Makar involved is key. He opens up space for everyone else on the ice and makes incredible things happen with the puck on his stick. You cannot give this Blues team a shred of hope, so winning the first two games of the series would be massive for Colorado, and maybe too much to overcome.
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Blues vs Avalanche NHL Playoff Series Prediction
The Blues are going to make this series competitive, but not seven games competitive. They have the longest remaining odds to win the Stanley Cup mostly because of who their opponent is. Colorado just cannot be stopped. They are fueled by recent disappointing playoff runs and are the most skilled team in the NHL. If they can start the series with two victories, there is no reason to think Colorado can’t win in five or six games.
Our NHL betting Blues vs Avalanche playoff prediction will be Avalanche Series Spread at BetUS.
Blues vs Avalanche Prediction and NHL Playoffs Picks
Colorado Avalanche – Series Spread -1.5 (-180)
*continue to check back on FlurrySports.org as more picks and updated odds will be available upon release*