Canucks vs. Blues Game 1 Prediction, Stanley Cup Playoff Odds
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Sports Interaction Staff
The St. Louis Blues’ title defence begins Wednesday night with the Vancouver Canucks as their first challenger. The NHL odds board has the Blues as a -145 favourite for Game 1 and at -197 to win the series.
Canucks vs. Blues NHL Stanley Cup Odds
St. Louis entered the NHL bubble in Edmonton as the top seed in the West, but an 0-2-1 showing has knocked the defending champs to fourth. Vancouver defeated the Minnesota Wild in four games, earning the highest seed from the West’s qualifying round.
Vancouver’s entering Wednesday’s contest on a three-game winning streak after a Chris Tanev overtime winner. The Blues meanwhile are still searching for their first postseason win after a disappointing round-robin.
The Canucks went 2-0-1 in three games against the Blues this season with the under cashing twice. Vancouver forward J.T. Miller scored three times versus St. Louis this season.
Vancouver Canucks
Momentum is on the Canucks’ side after defeating the Wild in their best-of-five last week. Rookie defenceman Quinn Hughes led all Vancouver skaters with six points in the series. Breakout goalie Jacob Markstrom posted a .964 save percentage during five-on-five play, the best percentage in the West’s qualifying round.
Vancouver took its bumps against Minnesota though. Michael Ferland left the bubble after Game 2, Tyler Toffoli hasn’t played since Game 1 of the qualifying round and is questionable for Wednesday, while Jay Beagle is probable for Game 1. Defenceman Jordie Benn could return to the Vancouver lineup after coming into the bubble late due to the birth of his first child.
If there’s an area of concern for Vancouver, it’s experience. Wednesday will be Vancouver’s first playoff game since 2015. They haven’t won a playoff series since 2011.
St. Louis Blues
The defending champs do have the playoff experience, but aren’t coming into Wednesday guns blazing. Despite getting star forward Vladimir Tarasenko back for the round robin, St. Louis managed to score a single goal in two of three round-robin losses.
St. Louis may be without some forwards too. Forward Sammy Blais left Sunday’s game versus Dallas after suffering a lower-body injury and could miss Game 1 on Wednesday. Ivan Barbashev will likely miss Wednesday’s contest due to the birth of his first child as well.
Without a postseason win yet, St. Louis could be in tough against a soaring Vancouver club. In fact, despite most being underdogs, qualifying round teams having an edge in Game 1s of this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs might be a common theme.
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