Blues vs. Avalanche Betting Preview (April 3, 2021)

Obviously in desperation mode, the St. Louis Blues gave the Colorado Avalanche all they could handle Friday, but still came up just short, falling in a 3-2 final. It was their fifth consecutive loss, one that finally knocked them from a playoff spot. Meanwhile, the Avalanche are a Timex watch that just keeps on ticking. They won their third in a row and have now earned at least one point in 15 of their last 16 games (12-1-3) to take over sole possession of first place in the West Division.

Let’s take a look at this matchup, a matchup of two teams who are going at it again 24 hours later, from a betting perspective in our Blues vs. Avalanche betting preview with odds, picks and predictions.

Blues vs. Avalanche Betting Pick

The Blues’ offensive woes continued last night. They have compiled just six goals in their last five games and have been held to two or fewer goals in nine of their last 11 outings.

They played better defensively against the Avalanche on Friday, but a lack of discipline was their downfall. In what was a penalty-filled game, they gave the high-powered Colorado power play six chances to score. The Avalanche cashed in twice against the bottom-five St. Louis penalty kill, and although David Perron cashed in on the power play for the Blues, losing the special teams battle was the difference in the contest.

Sign up with DraftKings Sportsbook by clicking here to get 100-1 odds on any Final Four matchup.

Nathan McKinnon scored twice, set up both times by captain Gabriel Landeskog. Brandon Saad also scored for Colorado.

The Avalanche offense didn’t match its dominating output of late, as they had averaged 5.3 goals per game over their previous 10 contests, but they did enough and got a solid effort in net from backup netminder Jonas Johansson who picked up his first NHL win since February 2020.

The win came in front of the first ticketed home crowd in 13 months and the fans got to see how good their Avalanche are on home ice (16-4-2) where Colorado is averaging a whopping 37.7 shots on goal per game.

Blues vs. Avalanche Odds

Here are the lines for Blues vs. Avalanche at DraftKings Sportsbook:

Spread: Blues (+1.5 -132); Avalanche (-1.5 +110)
Moneyline: Blues (+190); Avalanche (-230)
Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-125)/Under 5.5 (+104)

Sign up with FanDuel Sportsbook here to get 40-1 odds on either Final Four matchup

Bets We Like With a Blues Win

Brayden Schenn OVER 2 shots on goal (+108, FanDuel)

While the Blues offense has been sputtering, some players have come close to putting the puck in the net, but just can’t seem to finish. One of the guys that is pressing to break through is Schenn. Second on the Blues in goals this season, Schenn is currently mired in a 10-game goalless drought. But over the last two games he’s been more actively pursuing a goal, with four shots against Anaheim and five more on Friday against Colorado.

If the Blues are going to win, they’re going to need their goal scorers to score, and with Schenn knocking on the door the last couple games, he’s going to keep firing until he breaks through. Expecting more than two shots seems to be a bet worth taking.

Bets We Like With an Avalanche Win

Nathan MacKinnon OVER 1.5 points (+128, FanDuel)

There aren’t many guys who you would feel comfortable to place a bet on scoring multiple points in a game, but right now MacKinnon is playing the kind of hockey that can put you at ease with such a bet.

MacKinnon has three multi-point games in a row and has multiple points in six of the last nine Avalanche contests. Plus, he’s been pretty good against the Blues this season, netting five points in three games against them, including a pair of goals Friday.

He’s actually had 12 multi-point games this season and, as you would expect, the Avalanche have a pretty good record when that happens (9-1-2). So, pairing the two together, makes a lot of sense.

Bets We Like Independent of Outcome

Avalanche to win without conceding a goal including OT or shootout (+750, DraftKings)

Predicting a shutout in hockey could be considered one level of crazy and betting on it to happen could be considered a whole level beyond that. But, there is reason to think a small bet, with these great odds, is a good idea in this one.

We’ve outlined above the Blues’ aversion to scoring goals of late, and tonight they’ll face Philipp Grubauer, who is a contender for the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender. Grubauer already has five shutouts this season, including one against the Blues, and went through an eight game stretch from March 10-25 where he allowed one goal or fewer in each.

Tonight, he’ll be coming off a much-needed and well-deserved day off to get back in between the pipes. This could be a perfect storm where a bad offense meets a hot goalie and the result brings home a great payday.

Click here to bet $20 on any March Madness game and get $150 if either team scores a point at PointsBet.

Blues vs. Avalanche Prediction

St. Louis had its shot on Friday night coming off of four days rest and going against a backup goalie who hadn’t won a game in more than 13 months. Tonight, they have to go back-to-back in the mile high altitude against arguably the sport’s best team and the league’s hottest goalie. This isn’t a good recipe for the Blues to snap their losing streak.

Call it Avalanche 4, Blues 0.

Click here to get a $600 risk-free bet with BetMGM.