Blues -500 Favorites to Win Series Against Jets After Taking 2-0 Lead, Islanders Seeing -275 Odds
- After seizing commanding 2-0 series leads, Blues and Islanders have vaulted to heavy favorites on the NHL series prices
- Mired in last place in November, Blues have been among best NHL teams in 2019
- Islanders emerging as success story of season as they push Sidney Crosby, Penguins to verge of elimination from NHL playoff
After outlasting the Winnipeg Jets and posting wins in the first two games of their opening-round NHL playoff series, the St. Louis Blues return home for Game 3 perched as heavy favorites to eliminate the Jets, sporting short -550 odds.
Blues vs Jets NHL Playoff Series Prices
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| St. Louis Blues | -550 |
| Winnipeg Jets | +375 |
*Odds taken on April 13
Blues Enjoying Epic Resurgence
The Blues have carried over the strong play that made them one of hottest teams in the NHL during the second half of the season.
Buried in last place in the NHL Western Conference standings at the end of November, the Blues responded with a sensational turnaround, going 30-10-5 over their final 45 regular-season contests, capped by 9-1-2 run to close out their schedule and lift them within one point of the top spot in the Central Division.
Jordan Binnington absolutely robs Mark Scheifele in the final minute to seal the deal for the Blues in Game 1 https://t.co/4Y4rFvj8ka pic.twitter.com/OtcKm4Q7iG
— Hockey Night in Canada (@hockeynight) April 11, 2019
St. Louis has been getting the job done on both sides of the puck. Bolstered by the stellar play of rookie netminder Jordan Binnington, the club has surrendered two or fewer goals on seven occasions during their current 12-game surge, and are unbeaten in seven straight contests on home ice.
Winnipeg Continues to Battle Extended Slump
Conversely, the Jets have yet to break out of a funk that has its roots in a dismal 3-6-2 run in February.
The club posted wins in just 13 of its final 30 regular-season contests, and with their losses in Games 1 and 2, now sport a 3-7-2 mark over their past 12.
While the Blues have played efficient hockey, the Jets have been anything but, getting outscored by a wide 32-22 margin over their past 12 contests, capped by goaltender Connor Hellebuyck’s shaky performance in Friday’s 4-3 defeat.
Something, something blocker-side on Connor Hellebuyck …
Ryan O'Reilly's first playoff goal with the St. Louis Blues gives the visitors a 4-3 lead. pic.twitter.com/v6FZ1ZVkwR
— Cristiano Simonetta (@CMS_74_) April 13, 2019
The hero of Winnipeg’s march to the Western Conference Finals a year ago, Hellebuyck has struggled to maintain consistency down the stretch this season, earning just two wins over his past eight appearances while surrendering four or more goals on three occasions.
Jets Must Rediscover Offensive Touch
All is not lost for the Jets, who leave town for Game 3 pegged as lengthy +375 underdogs on the series prices after opening their tilt with the Blues as a -109 bet.
The Jets enjoy a steady history of success against the Blues, winning three of four matchups this season, and eight of ten in St. Louis since March, 2015.
The Jets took three out of four games this year vs the Blues, outscoring them by a combined total of 18-10
The Blues have never faced this version of Winnipeg in the playoffs, however, they did have one series in 1982 w/the original Jets https://t.co/sGR9kG7eU8 pic.twitter.com/m3x5JjnnC2
— Hockey Reference (@hockey_ref) April 11, 2019
However, they must rediscover the offensive touch that enabled them to score 27 total goals over their past six trips to Enterprise Center, if they are to earn the win in Game 3 as +140 underdogs and mount a successful comeback in the series.
Pick: Blues to win series (-550)
Islanders vs Penguins NHL Playoff Series Prices
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| New York Islanders | -275 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | +225 |
Scrappy Islanders Outworking Penguins
Over in the Eastern Conference, an impressive start in their first-round series with the Pittsburgh Penguins has lifted the New York Islanders to -275 favorites to advance to the second round of the NHL playoffs for the just the second time since 1993.
The Islanders have continued to confound naysayers that have awaited their eventual collapse this season
Led by clutch performances from Mat Barzal and Robin Lehner in their first-ever NHL playoff starts, and backed by a supporting cast of role players who have risen to the playoff occasion, the Islanders have continued to confound naysayers that have awaited their eventual collapse this season.
Robin Lehner (41 saves) joined Billy Smith (44 saves, Game 2 of 1975 QF) and Glenn Healy (42 saves, Game 7 of 1993 DSF) as the third @NYIslanders goaltender to make 40 or more saves in a playoff game against PIT. #NHLStats #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/ofLWGHlPjY
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 11, 2019
Salvaged off the scrap heap after being dumped by the Buffalo Sabres last summer, Lehner continues to dominate between the pipes in New York, stopping 73 of 77 Penguins shots over the first two games of the series.
Barzal has combined with Jordan Eberle to tally a pair of goals and five assists through the first two clashes of the series.
Injuries, Sloppy Play Hobble Penguins
At the other end of the ice, the play of the Penguins could be best described as sloppy.
Pittsburgh has struggled with injuries to defensemen Brian Dumoulin and Erik Gudbranson, but have also received uninspired performances from Kris Letang and Olli Maatta, particularly on Tom Kuhnhackl’s disallowed goal in overtime and Josh Bailey’s eventual game-winner.
@IslesBlog Just realized, If you watch overhead video at 0:38, Murray gets a skate on @Barzal_97 shot. Definitely changed direction as it was going in. https://t.co/3MFI6iBFqo
— Steve Conti (@steveconti27) April 11, 2019
Discipline has also been an issue. The Penguins racked up 16 minutes in penalties in Game 2, led by Evgeni Malkin and Jack Johnson, who were both goaded into two infractions each in the first period, forcing Matt Murray to play some of his best hockey of the season to keep the club in the game.
Crosby Kept Off the Scoresheet
In addition, Sidney Crosby has been a physical presence, but has yet to find the scoresheet in the series, leaving him pointless through the first two games of a playoff run for the first time in his NHL career.
Sidney Crosby at 5v5 via @NatStatTrick
31-30 Attempts
1.5-1.61 Expected Goals
15-18 Scoring Chances
7-9 High Danger ChancesThat's an outstanding job by the Isles at home. Big question is can they repeat on the road without as much matchup control. https://t.co/csvgIehVAT
— Carey Haber (@habermetrics) April 13, 2019
While it is only a matter of time before Crosby finds his groove, time is quickly running out on the Penguins, who have now dropped five of seven meetings with the Islanders and lag at +225 on the NHL series prices.
Crosby and the Penguins have rebounded from 0-2 deficits before, most notably in 2009, when they accomplished the feat twice on their way to a Stanley Cup win.
But with the Penguins clearly rattled following Friday’s loss, and fewer than 13% of teams rebounding from an 0-2 deficit to win a seven-game series in NHL history, the smart money is likely placed on the Barry Trotz’ disciplined Islanders
Pick: Islanders to win series (-275)
Daniel has been writing about sports and sports betting for over 23 years. The seasoned pro has contributed to the likes of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet, NESN, Bleacher Report, OddsShark, the Globe and Mail, and The Nation magazine.
