St Louis (0-1) at Boston (1-0)
When: Wednesday, May 29th, 2019
Where: TD Garden,
Boston, MA
Time: 8:05 ET | TV: NBC
Opening Odds: Boston -165/5.5
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St. Louis Blues fans have waited almost 50 years for their team to get back to a Stanley Cup Final – and even longer for their first win. The wait continues for at least one more day as the Blues fell to 0-13 all-time in Stanley Cup Finals games after a 4-2 setback in Game 1 versus the Boston Bruins on Monday. The Bruins looked a little rusty after a long layoff from sweeping the Eastern Conference Finals and fell behind 2-0 early in the second period before taking over. Boston outshot St. Louis 30-12 over the final two periods en route to their eighth consecutive victory this postseason. During this successful eight game run, the Bruins have scored 32 goals while allowing only 11 (1.38 goals per game). The loss dropped the Blues to 7-3 away from home and haven’t lost back-to-back road games in the playoffs. The Bruins proved to be more physical and that was most evident when a helmetless Torey Krug delivered a thunderous hit on St. Louis’ Robert Thomas to get the fans and the rest of his teammates fired up. The series shifts to St. Louis for Game 3 on Saturday night.
The Blues were 6-1 when leading after the first period, and 10-3 when scoring the first goal in this post season, but couldn’t get that third goal that would have put more pressure on the Bruins. Vladimir Tarasenko netted his ninth of the playoffs, moving him into fourth spot overall on the post season franchise goal list. Defenseman Vince Dunn, out since Game 3 of the Western Conference finals after getting hit in the mouth by a shot, practiced for a third straight day Tuesday and could be back in the lineup for Game 2. Dunn had seven points in the postseason and scored in two of his previous three games before he was injured. Goalie Jordan Binnington, who posted a 24-5-1 mark since he was called up from the minors in early December, is 5-2 in the playoffs following the Game 1 setback. Forward Brayden Schenn has scored in back-to-back games after a 13-game goal drought.
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The Bruins received a big performance from their fourth-line on Monday including center Sean Kuraly, who set up Boston’s first goal before scoring his third-game winner of the playoffs. Kuraly, along with linemates Noel Acciari and Joakim Nordstrom were matched up against St. Louis’ No. 1 unit after the Blues struck for two goals. Bruins captain Zdeno Chara suffered a cut on his arm late in the third period but said he was fine after receiving stitches. Forward Brad Marchand scored his eighth goal of the postseason and has one in each of the last three games.
St. Louis has been one of the most resilient teams in the league since the beginning of January and won’t back down even after blowing Game 1. I still believe they’ll leave Boston with a split. They know they need to be more physical in this game, and they will be.
Pick: Blues +145
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Blues are 5-1 in their last 6 games as an underdog of +110 to +150.
Blues are 5-1 in their last 6 games as a road underdog of +110 to +150.
Blues are 4-1 in their last 5 playoff games as an underdog of +110 to +150.
Blues are 9-3 in their last 12 games as an underdog.
Blues are 6-2 in their last 8 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Blues are 8-3 in their last 11 games as a road underdog.
Blues are 12-5 in their last 17 vs. Eastern Conference.
Blues are 7-3 in their last 10 road games.
Blues are 7-3 in their last 10 playoff games as an underdog.
Blues are 35-16 in their last 51 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Blues are 77-37 in their last 114 vs. Atlantic.
Blues are 37-18 in their last 55 games playing on 1 days rest.
Blues are 3-9 in their last 12 Wednesday games.
Bruins are 5-0 in their last 5 playoff games as a favorite.
Bruins are 8-0 in their last 8 vs. a team with a winning record.
Bruins are 21-5 in their last 26 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Bruins are 24-7 in their last 31 games playing on 1 days rest.
Bruins are 20-6 in their last 26 vs. Western Conference.
Bruins are 24-8 in their last 32 games following a win.
Bruins are 24-8 in their last 32 games as a home favorite of -151 to -200.
Bruins are 26-9 in their last 35 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Bruins are 8-3 in their last 11 vs. Central.
Bruins are 58-23 in their last 81 home games.
Bruins are 5-2 in their last 7 playoff games as a favorite of -151 to -200.
Bruins are 55-23 in their last 78 games as a home favorite.
Bruins are 35-16 in their last 51 overall.
Bruins are 81-38 in their last 119 games as a favorite.
Bruins are 51-24 in their last 75 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Bruins are 37-18 in their last 55 games as a favorite of -151 to -200.
Bruins are 3-7 in their last 10 Wednesday games.
Favorite is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings.
Home team is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings.
