Blues vs. Jets Game 1 Prediction: NHL Playoffs Betting Odds
It was a rough race to the finish line in the Central division, but when everything was decided, the Jets won home ice advantage on the last game of the regular season. This series promises to be one of the tightest first round match-ups as both the Jets and Blues finished with 99 points during the regular season.
Blues vs Jets Stanley Cup Playoffs Betting Analysis
When looking at the history of these two teams this season, it’s easy to point to the Jets and say, they’re the team that will win. The Jets took three of four games from the Blues this season, but the last game the two teams played was back on December 7. A lot has changed in St. Louis since that time, especially in the 2019 calendar year – where they have had a completely different record (more below).
Both of these teams are paying -118 to win the series at Sports Interaction. Also, the road team in this head-to-head series is 5-1 in the last six games.
St. Louis Blues
The Blues have had a remarkable turnaround season, and it all started 36 games into the season. The Blues started the year, 15-17-4 and in that time, Head Coach Mike Yeo was relieved of his duties and assistant Craig Beurbe was appointed to the top position. Now, it took some time to get on track, but since December 30, the Beurbe-lead Blues are an impressive 29-11-5 and came within inches of winning the Central division.
But maybe the turning point of the year was the mid-season call-up of goaltender Jordan Binnington from the American Hockey League. Binnington has been lights out going 24-5-1, and leading the NHL in goals against with a 1.89 average. He is the team MVP, and will get consideration for the Calder Trophy this year. He also pays a longshot +4000 to win the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Vladimir Tarasenko leads the team in goal scoring with 33 this season, and is a +3500 underdog to win the Conn Smythe trophy.
The comeback player on the Blues, and possibly the league is Ryan O’Reilly. The big Centre who confessed to “losing his love for hockey in Buffalo” bounced back in a big way with a 77 point season, that lead the team in scoring.
Winnipeg Jets
For the first time in forever, the Jets should be a healthy group come game one on Wednesday night. The club received some great news as defenceman Josh Morrissey is expected to return to the line-up after missing 23 games because of injury.
Outside of Jacob Trouba, who was a workhorse on the Jets blueline (the only defenceman to play all 82 games) the Jets were hurt by the injury bug this season. The other five regular defenceman missed a grand total of 105 man games, led by Dustin Byfuglien (40 games) and Morrissey (23 games). The Jets also played 15 games on the back half of the season missing both of those defenceman.
Shots against is a category the team wants to cut down on this post season. Connor Hellebuyck has faced the most shots against (2051) of any starting goaltender in the league. The team finished 15th in goals against at 2.96 per game.
If you back the Jets on a long playoff run Blake Wheeler is paying +3000 to win MVP, while Mark Scheifele and Patrik Laine are registered at +3500.
STL
WIN