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Blues vs. Avalanche Prediction and Odds for Game 1 (Avalanche Make Statement)

By Joe Summers

Nathan MacKinnon dominated the Predators and hopes to continue his stellar play against the Blues
Nathan MacKinnon dominated the Predators and hopes to continue his stellar play against the Blues / Matthew Stockman/GettyImages
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In a rematch of a first-round sweep in last year's playoffs, the No. 1 Colorado Avalanche hope for a similar result as they host the No. 3 St. Louis Blues on Tuesday, May 17th, at 9:30 PM EST.

As I discussed in my series preview, Colorado is a heavy favorite to advance to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2002. The Avalanche were the best team in the NHL all season long and easily swept the Predators in the first round, while the Wild pushed St. Louis to six games.

As we approach Game 1 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals, let's check out the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook to find some value in this Blues vs Avalanche matchup:

Blues vs Avalanche Odds, Puck Line and Total

Moneyline:

  • Blues: +190
  • Avalanche: -225

Puck line:

  • Blues +1.5 (-130)
  • Avalanche -1.5 (+110)

Total:

  • 6.5 (Over -130/Under +110)

Blues vs Avalanche Prediction and Pick

The Blues were excellent on the puck line as an underdog this year, amassing a 20-7 record while winning 13 of those games outright. But, Colorado seems to be playing a different sport right now. They're on absolute fire and look well-positioned to make quick work of St. Louis in this series.

In their four-game sweep of Nashville, the Avalanche outscored the Predators 21-9. They were an incredible 32-5 at home in the regular season, including a 5-3 win over St. Louis last month.

Nathan MacKinnon had five goals against Nashville and now has 75 points in 54 career postseason games. The Blues will have their hands full with him, and even if they're able to contain Playoff MacKinnon, the Avalanche are too deep and talented for the scrappy St. Louis squad to handle.

Colorado has lost in the second round of the playoffs three years in a row and they'll be hungry to put the past behind them. The best way to do that is a dominant Game 1 performance, which is exactly what I expect at home.

Give me the Avalanche on the puck line to make a statement and jump out to an early lead in the series.

Pick: Avalanche -1.5 (+110)

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.

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