Boston (1-1) at St Louis (1-1)
When: Saturday, June 1st, 2019
Where: Enterprise Center,
St Louis, Missouri
Time: 8:20 ET | TV: NBC Sports
Opening Odds: St Louis -115/5
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As we predicted for Game 2, the St. Louis Blues have been a resilient team since the calendar turned to 2019 and they fought and clawed their way to an overtime victory to send the Stanley Cup Finals back home tied at a game apiece. 32-year-old defenseman Carl Gunnarsson just missed his first career playoff goal when a shot clanged off the post late in the third period, but was able to find the back of the net 3:51 into the extra period on a slap shot from the blue line as the Blues claimed a 3-2 victory over the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night. The decisive goal, which came on a delayed penalty against Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo, gave the Blues their first finals win in 14 chances. The defeat snapped an eight-game winning streak for the Bruins, who got 34 saves from goaltender Tuukka Rask. St. Louis netminder Jordan Binnington stopped 21 shots, as the Blued controlled the puck despite taking five penalties for the second straight game. Boston didn’t even get a shot in overtime. Things got testy late in the first period after St. Louis’ Oskar Sundqvist sent Matt Grzelcyk to the ice on a hit to the head against the boards that resulted in a penalty. Boston failed to score on the resulting two-minute minor, and Grzelcyk did not return. Grzelcyk is listed as doubtful due to a concussion and Sundqvist has been suspended for Game 3. The Blues are just 5-5 at home this postseason while the Bruins are 6-2 away from home.
Patrice Bergeron has not produced a point in the Stanley Cup final, and played just 16:16 in game two. In fact, he and linemates Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak have combined for just two points in the series, including an empty-net goal by Marchand in Game 1. Boston’s power-play continues to produce, scoring in its sixth straight game and have 19 this postseason, which is second in team history, just behind the 24 goals they scored with the man-advantage in 1991. Grzelcyk will likely be replaced by John Moore, head coach Bruce Cassidy said Friday. Rask has recorded two shutouts and allowed two goals in his last four road games.
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Vladimir Tarasenko enters this game on an eight game point scoring streak with five goals and five assists over that time. He also has scored a goal in four consecutive games and his 18 points overall this postseason is second in the league. His linemates, Jaden Schwartz and Brayden Schenn have three goals and three assists this series. With Sundqvist suspended for one game, Ivan Barbashev moved to center on the fourth line alongside Alexander Steen and Zach Sanford at Friday’s practice Schwartz has 18 points in the playoffs after managing 36 during the entire regular season.
The Blues played much better in Game 2 and this team has been one of the best in the league – if not the best – for five months now. I can see the momentum carrying over to a raucous St. Louis crowd Saturday night. I’ll back the Blues once again.
Pick: Blues -111
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Bruins are 4-0 in their last 4 road games.
Bruins are 4-0 in their last 4 games as an underdog of +110 to +150.
Bruins are 4-0 in their last 4 games as a road underdog of +110 to +150.
Bruins are 8-1 in their last 9 vs. a team with a winning record.
Bruins are 5-1 in their last 6 games as an underdog.
Bruins are 5-1 in their last 6 games as a road underdog.
Bruins are 5-1 in their last 6 playoff games as an underdog.
Bruins are 4-1 in their last 5 playoff games as an underdog of +110 to +150.
Bruins are 24-7 in their last 31 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Bruins are 26-8 in their last 34 games playing on 2 days rest.
Bruins are 16-5 in their last 21 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Bruins are 20-7 in their last 27 vs. Western Conference.
Bruins are 8-3 in their last 11 vs. Central.
Bruins are 45-18 in their last 63 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Bruins are 35-16 in their last 51 overall.
Bruins are 91-43 in their last 134 Saturday games.
Bruins are 1-4 in their last 5 Stanley Cup Finals games.
Blues are 6-1 in their last 7 vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Blues are 22-6 in their last 28 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Blues are 7-2 in their last 9 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Blues are 6-2 in their last 8 games as a home favorite of -110 to -150.
Blues are 11-4 in their last 15 Saturday games.
Blues are 19-7 in their last 26 home games.
Blues are 13-5 in their last 18 vs. Eastern Conference.
Blues are 18-7 in their last 25 games as a home favorite.
Blues are 9-4 in their last 13 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Blues are 38-18 in their last 56 vs. Atlantic.
Blues are 37-18 in their last 55 overall.
Under is 4-0 in Bruins last 4 playoff games as an underdog.
Under is 5-0 in Bruins last 5 road games.
Under is 4-0 in Bruins last 4 games as a road underdog.
Under is 4-0 in Bruins last 4 games as an underdog.
Under is 3-1-1 in Bruins last 5 Stanley Cup Finals games.
Under is 21-8 in Bruins last 29 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Under is 5-2 in Bruins last 7 vs. Western Conference.
Under is 7-3 in Bruins last 10 overall.
Under is 7-3 in Bruins last 10 Saturday games.
Under is 7-3 in Bruins last 10 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 9-4-1 in Bruins last 14 games playing on 2 days rest.
Under is 26-12 in Bruins last 38 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Blues last 5 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Blues last 5 games following a win.
Under is 7-2 in Blues last 9 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Under is 10-3-2 in Blues last 15 Saturday games.
Over is 3-1-1 in Blues last 5 playoff games as a favorite of -110 to -150.
Under is 6-2 in Blues last 8 games as a home favorite of -110 to -150.
Over is 6-2-1 in Blues last 9 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 11-4 in Blues last 15 vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 19-7 in Blues last 26 vs. Atlantic.
Over is 5-2 in Blues last 7 overall.
Under is 14-6-2 in Blues last 22 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Under is 44-21-4 in Blues last 69 games playing on 2 days rest.
Favorite is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
Home team is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
