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Jim Biringer
St. Louis Blues vs. Minnesota Wild Game 2 Prediction, NHL Odds
David Perron’s four-point night in Game 1 helped St. Louis continue their dominance over Minnesota.
With the way the Blues have been dominating the Wild, Minnesota has to figure out a way to flip the script if they want this series to go past five games.
Minnesota is a -143 favourite to win Game 2 with a total of 6.0 goals on the NHL odds.
Blues vs. Wild NHL Playoffs Betting Odds
After the Blues’ dominating performance in Game 1, the money is leaning towards St. Louis winning this series at -189. Oddsmakers have the Blues winning the series in six games at +349. The other most likely scenario has the Blues winning in five games at +423.
While it is only one game, and anything can happen over seven games, recent history and trends show the Blues were the favourite heading into the series. Despite what the numbers said.
With St. Louis being 14-3 in their last 17 meetings against Minnesota including 6-2 in their last eight trips to Minnesota, if St. Louis wins Game 2, look for the money to go even further in the direction of Blues winning in five games.
St. Louis Blues
David Perron relished the role of being back in the playoffs with the Blues. After missing the series against Colorado last year because of COVID-19, Perron made an impact in Game 1 against the Wild. Perron recorded a point on all four of the Blues’ goals, including becoming the 14th player in team history to record a playoff hat trick.
The Blues’ special teams picked up right where it left off in the regular season as two of Perron’s goals were scored on the power play. St. Louis loves playing the special teams game as they had the best power play in the NHL this year. Ville Husso started his first career playoff game and picked up a 37-save shutout.
Minnesota Wild
The Wild have to change their luck against the Blues. Marc-Andre Fleury did not have a great Game 1. Although Fleury has been a proven starter in the league, he has shown at times in the playoff he can come up short. Fleury’s playoff struggles carried over from last season with Vegas.
Three of the four goals he gave up were on the power play and all from the same spot on the ice. Fleury overplayed himself on the Ryan O’Reilly goal. He needs to be better for the Wild to have a chance in this series. If not, expect Cam Talbot to come into this series.
Minnesota’s offence has the potential to show up as well. With six players that have scored 20 or more goals this season, to not have one in Game 1 was a little surprising. Head coach Dean Evason will have to make adjustments if the Wild want to get back home-ice advantage.
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