The St. Louis Blues will try to avoid falling into a 2-0 series hole when they play the Colorado Avalanche in Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series in Ball Arena on Thursday night.
Despite being woefully out-shot, the Blues forced overtime in Game 1, but Josh Manson and the Avs proved best in sudden death.
Can St. Louis get even with their Central Division rival in Game 2? Find out in our free NHL picks and predictions for Blues vs Avalanche on Thursday, May 19.
Blues vs Avalanche Game 2 odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
The Avalanche were overwhelming favorites to win Game 1, and oddsmakers are once again hanging prohibitive moneylines on Colorado in Game 2. The consensus opening line was -223, and betting action has seen that number fall anywhere from seven to 12 cents.
The total came out at 6.5, and while that number still stands at the majority of sportsbooks, the vig on the Over has increased significantly, and a 7 has even appeared.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until puck drop and be sure to check out the full NHL odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
Blues vs Avalanche Game 2 predictions
Predictions made on 5/18/2022 at 4:00 X.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Blues vs Avalanche Game 2 info
• Location: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
• Date: Thursday, May 19, 2022
• Puck drop: 9:30 p.m. ET
• TV: TNT
Blues vs Avalanche series odds
Blues: +500
Avalanche: -750
Blues vs Avalanche Game 2 betting preview
Key injuries
Blues: Torey Krug D (Questionable), Marco Scandella D (Questionable).
Avalanche: Andrew Cogliano C (Probable), Darcy Kuemper G (Probable).
Find our latest NHL injury reports.
Blues vs Avalanche head-to-head record
Blues: 3-6-1 SU, 29 goals for.
Avalanche: 7-3 SU, 39 goals for.
Betting trend to know
The Blues are 1-7 in their last eight meetings with the Avalanche in Colorado. Find more NHL betting trends for Blues vs. Avalanche.
Blues vs Avalanche Game 2 picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Moneyline analysis
The Avalanche were able to withstand a herculean effort from Blues netminder Jordan Binnington in Game 1 just to get the contest into the overtime, but they passed the test. The Avs should have an easier time in Game 2.
Colorado fired 54 pucks at Binnington on Tuesday and broke through for only three goals, including Manson’s overtime winner. It was an incredible performance by one of St. Louis’ Stanley Cup heroes of 2019, but not one that we can expect to be repeated.
Binnington was in net for only three of the Blues’ six games against the Minnesota Wild in the quarterfinals because he lost the starting gig to Ville Husso. He authored a modest 3.13 goals against average and .901 save percentage in the regular season, and in three games against the Avs, Binnington went 1-2-0 with an ugly 3.78 GAA and a .897 SV%.
Nathan MacKinnon could lead the breakthrough in the goal-scoring department for Colorado in Game 2, as he was held without a tally despite firing a team-high eight shots on goal in the series opener. He’s currently pacing his club in goals this postseason with five.
The Avalanche defense was at its best in Game 1, holding the Blues to two goals on only 25 shots. Goaltender Darcy Kuemper returned from his eye injury suffered in Game 3 of the quarterfinals to post a respectable 1.76 GAA and .920 SV% against St. Louis, and now owns a 1.67 GAA and .930 SV% for the playoffs.
The trends favor the Avs, as they’re 55-11 in their last 66 home games, and 22-8 in their last 30 playoff games as the betting favorite. The Blues are 3-8 in their last 11 playoff games as an underdog.
Prediction: Avalanche moneyline (-230 at DraftKings)
Over/Under analysis
The Blues and the Avalanche were third and fourth, respectively, in the regular season in goals per game, so Game 2 profiles as a bad night to be a goalie in Colorado.
St. Louis captain Ryan O’Reilly led by example in Game 1, as he was responsible for the opening tally of that tilt. He now leads his squad with six goals through seven playoff contests. Close behind are David Perron and Vladimir Tarasenko with five apiece, and Jordan Kyrou – who scored in Game 1 – has four total tallies.
The Colorado offense demonstrated its depth on Tuesday, as Valeri Nichushkin, Samuel Girard, and Manson were the three goal-scorers that night. Nichushkin was one of seven 20-goal scorers for Colorado this season, but defensemen Girard and Manson combined for only seven markers in 89 games. Talents like MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Gabriel Landeskog will not be held down for long in this series.
Avs winger J.T. Compher has been kept quiet for most of this postseason, but he could wake up playing a St. Louis team that he gathered three goals and three assists against in three regular season affairs.
Trend bettors should note that the Over is 13-3-1 in the Blues’ last 17 road games, and 33-15-3 in their last 51 games as an underdog. The Over is 6-1 in the last seven meetings between these two clubs.
Prediction: Over 6.5 (-125 at Caesars)
Best bet
The moneyline price is far from appealing, but the Avalanche should dominate the Blues on both ends of the ice en route to a comfortable Game 2 triumph. As such, a play on the puck line is advised.
Colorado has won seven of their last eight overall against St. Louis, covering the puckline on six occasions. Its power play had plenty to do with that, notching eight goals in 25 chances (32%).
Conn Smythe frontrunner Cale Makar was held without a point in Game 1, but that seems due to change in this spot. He had a team-best 10 points in just four games against the Nashville Predators.
Makar is one of many stars the Avs have that could bounce back following a relatively quiet series-opener. The Blues were not a defensive powerhouse this year, ranking 11th in goals against per game. With Torey Krug likely still out, this unit could get overwhelmed.
Pick: Avalanche -1.5 (+105 at PointsBet)
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