A little extra time off certainly didn't hinder the Boston Bruins, who rallied from an early 2-0 deficit to claim a 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues in the opening game of the Stanley Cup final. The Bruins are well-positioned to go into St. Louis with a 2-0 series lead as the teams renew hostilities Wednesday night at TD Garden – and based on how Boston closed out Game 1, outscoring the Blues 4-1 while outshooting them 30-12 over the final two periods, it's clear that the Eastern Conference champions are over the rust caused by that lengthy layoff following their four-game sweep of the Carolina Hurricanes.
Here are the best ways to wager Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final:
St. Louis Blues at Boston Bruins (-170, 5.5)
Bruins lead series 1-0
Series price: Blues +245/Bruins -370
QUICK-HITTER
We correctly predicted a low-scoring first period in the opener, with both teams feeling each other out; the Blues and Bruins combined for just 16 total shots in Period 1, with Brayden Schenn's marker providing the only offense. That's nothing new for this Boston team, which has yielded just seven first-period goals in the entire postseason. There might be more scoring chances in the first period of Game 2, but we still like these teams to go under the Period 1 total.
PREDICTION: Under 1.5 first-period goals (-130)
PERIOD BET
Both of these teams have seen plenty of third-period scoring of late, which is why oddsmakers have the Over 1.5 for Period 3 priced at a rather non-generous -150. Boston has gone above the threshold in seven of its previous eight games, while the Blues have seen two or more goals scored in the final stanza in each of their last three outings. Rather than go with the straight over play, we recommend taking the third as the highest-scoring period at much friendlier odds.
PREDICTION: Highest scoring period - Period 3 (+220)
TEAM/PLAYER BET
Back to the well! Jaden Schwartz didn't cash in on our Game 1 goal prop recommendation, and was held to a lone shot on goal in the defeat – the second straight game Schwartz has had just one shot on net. But we can't ignore the fact that Schwartz still leads the league in postseason goals on the road with seven, and has potted eight goals in his previous 13 games overall. Take another shot on the streaky Schwartz to light the lamp for St. Louis, and you'll be rewarded handsomely.
PREDICTION: Jaden Schwartz anytime goal (+260)
FULL-GAME TOTAL
For the Blues to prevail in this one, they'll almost certainly need to commit much more aggressively to the defensive end. Allowing the Bruins to rack up 30 shots over the final two periods is the quickest path to defeat – and to the Blues' credit, they've responded well after a loss, having won three straight games in that situation while outscoring the opposition 10-4. Look for St. Louis to make things more difficult on the Boston offense in Game 2, which makes the Under 5.5 the superior play here.
PREDICTION: Under 5.5 (-145)
FULL-GAME SIDE
We have yet to lean toward a winner in our first three plays, but we'll have to in this one. And this pick is more about extracting value than anything else. The Bruins dominated the final two periods of Game 1, but did fall behind 2-0 to a Blues team that might have let nerves get the best of it in the franchise's first Stanley Cup game in 49 years. St. Louis is better than it showed in Game 1, and at its current price, is certainly worth consideration as it looks to send the series back to Missouri tied at a win apiece.
PREDICTION: Blues +150
