The St. Louis Blues are three wins away from hoisting their first Stanley Cup largely due to their prowess on the road, including a 3-2 overtime victory in Boston on Wednesday night that allowed them to swipe home-ice advantage from the Bruins. **video
The Blues hope to carry the momentum from that dramatic victory when the series shifts to St. Louis, as we break down the best ways to wager Saturday night's Game 3.
BOSTON BRUINS AT ST. LOUIS BLUES (-120, 5)
Series tied 1-1
Series price: Blues +102/Bruins -143
QUICK HITTER
The Blues have become known for their comebacks this postseason, but it might come back to bite them with the Stanley Cup on the line. St. Louis has surrendered 19 first period during the playoffs with an even plus-minus. Boston on the other hand has allowed just nine first period goals this postseason with a +9 goal differential in the playoffs. The Bruins are a good bet to light the lamp first in this one.
PREDICTION: First team to score – Bruins (-105)
PERIOD BET
Under bettors had to sweat out essentially the entirety of Game 2 with four goals scored in the 15 minutes. But the sweat was worth it as the teams played the remainder of regulation scoreless, securing the cash for Under 5.5 bettors. We’re already expecting the Bruins to score first, and while the Blues are just 5-5 at home in the playoffs, they have scored nine first period goals in those 10 games.
PREDICTION: First period Over 1.5 (+115)
TEAM/PLAYER BET
The talk around Boston is the lack of production from its vaunted top line of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak, who have combined for just two points in the series, including an empty-net goal by Marchand in Game 1. But we don't expect a line that talented to stay down much longer. Marchand probably has the best value to score in this one at +155 considering five of his eight playoff goals have come on the road.
PREDICTION: Marchand to score a goal (+155)
FULL GAME TOTAL
Saturday's total is the lowest the Bruins have seen all postseason. That’s likely due to the strong goalie play of both teams, including the fact Tuukka Rask has notched two shutouts and allowed two goals in his last four road games (all Bruins wins). However, the Bruins have been quite comfortable away from home with a 6-2 record, scoring 3.25 goals per game. While the Blues had a total of 5 in all seven of their games against the Stars, going 3-2-2. They score and allow 2.6 goals per game at home this postseason. With the Bruins best players primed to break out and the Blues top players doing their thing, the number is a touch too low.
PREDICTION: Over 5
FULL GAME SIDE
As we said, the Bruins have won four straight road games and are 6-2 on the road this postseason, while the Blues have been inconsistent at home. There will be plenty of emotion for the Blues first Stanley Cup game at home in 49 years, and emotional play isn’t always the best thing. We like the Bruins to score first and they are 45-9-5 in the playoffs and regular season when scoring first. Mix in the value of the Bruins being a slight underdog and our money is with the road team.
PREDICTION: Bruins +100
