After two games, where the Colorado Avalanche won by three goals in each contest, the St. Louis Blues find themselves one game away from elimination, needing to win on the road to keep from going home.
Colorado, however, is focused on not having to get on a plane for Game 6. The Stanley Cup betting favorite has only lost one game total in its two playoff series.
Can St. Louis scratch out a win in Ball Arena or will the home side send it back to Missouri eliminated from the postseason? Find out what we think in our free NHL betting picks and predictions for Blues vs. Avalanche on Wednesday, May 25.
Blues vs Avalanche Game 5 odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
Oddsmakers and bettors smell blood in the water and have set the Avalanche as the overwhelming home favorite. The Avs opened at -227 but quickly went to -250 at most sportsbooks. The Blues started at +190 but are now at +210 at BetRivers. The total began at 6.5 and has stayed there, with the Over at -108 and the Under at -105.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until puck drop and be sure to check out the full NHL odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
Blues vs Avalanche Game 5 predictions
Predictions made on 5/25/2022 at 2:00 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Blues vs Avalanche Game 5 info
• Location: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
• Date: Wednesday, May 25, 2022
• Puck drop: 8:00 p.m. ET
• TV: TNT
Blues vs Avalanche series odds
Blues: +1,500
Avalanche: -3,000
Blues vs Avalanche Game 5 betting preview
Key injuries
Blues: Marco Scandella D (Questionable), Jordan Binnington G (Out), Torey Krug D (Out).
Avalanche: Andrew Cogliano C (Probable), Darcy Kuemper G (Probable), Ryan Murray D (Out).
Find our latest NHL injury reports.
Blues vs Avalanche head-to-head record in this series
Blues: 1-3 SU, 11 goals for.
Avalanche: 3-1 SU, 15 goals for.
Betting trend to know
The Avalanche have won each of the last two games by three goals. Find more NHL betting trends for Blues vs. Avalanche.
Blues vs Avalanche Game 5 picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Puck line analysis
The Colorado Avalanche have taken control of the second-round best-of-seven series against the Blues and can close it out on Wednesday. They are definitely motivated, it’s just a matter of how St. Louis is going to play.
The Blues haven’t had an answer in the last two games and won’t be able to solve Colorado. Game 3 saw the Blues completely fall apart after goalie Jordan Binnington collided with Nazem Kadri.
St. Louis players then spent Game 4 taking runs at Kadri, who responded by scoring a hat trick. If the Blues employ that same strategy tonight, this game will be over early, just like it was on Monday.
Besides, it’s not like the Blues have been able to solve the Avs offense. In addition to Kadri, Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog, and Mikko Rantanen have scored three goals and nine assists combined to lead the top two lines.
The Blues' only answer has been David Perron. The first-line forward has scored four goals in the series, with his linemates, Brandon Saad and Ryan O’Reilly having combined for just three markers. To their credit, Darcy Kuemper has been a stud all year and that play has carried into the postseason. He currently stands with a 2.14 GAA, .917 SV%, and has dropped just one game in eight starts.
Now the Blues’ hopes rest with Ville Husso in net, who has allowed nine goals in two games. The Avalanche have won each of the last two games by three goals. Expect the same outcome on Wednesday.
Prediction: Avalanche -1.5 (+100 at DraftKings)
Over/Under analysis
The Avalanche come into Wednesday night’s game on an offensive roll. They scored 11 goals in the last two games and the Over hit relatively easy in both contests. It should do so again Wednesday night. The Avs are at home, ready to please fans who haven’t seen them advance to the conference finals in 20 years.
Colorado’s offense has been able to get it done in multiple ways scoring full strength and on the power play. It leads all teams in the playoffs with a goals for average of 4.50 per game. It has scored 36 goals total, and the only team to have scored more total goals are the Edmonton Oilers, who have played in three more games.
The power play is second in the playoffs, converting 33.3% of the time. Strangely, the Blues are first in power-play conversion at 35.3%.
Losing Binnington was a big blow for St, Louis and the main reason I like the Over. Husso replaced him in Game 3 and has been horrible, allowing nine goals in five-plus periods.
The Avalanche have been able to score even without Cale Makar contributing much. The defenseman was on fire in the first round of the playoffs against Nashville — tallying 10 points in four games — but has cooled off against the Blues with just two assists in the series thus far.
Still, if Colorado hits its average of goals, and St. Louis chips in a couple, this game will again hit the Over.
Prediction: Over 6.5 (-108 at BetRivers)
Best bet
The Avalanche are one win away from advancing to the Western Conference Finals and can clinch their series at home. No way the Colorado players want to fly back to St. Louis for a Game 6.
They will come out blazing and don’t be surprised if they not only score first, but add second and third goals before the visitors know what hit them.
The Blues would be wise to have a physical game plan, but too physical and they run the risk of having to stave off Colorado’s powerplay, which is converting at a 33.3% clip.
Having to rely on Husso to keep pucks out of the net is going to be a huge challenge for the Blues. He has been awful in the last two games, allowing nine goals on 58 shots.
Games 3 and 4 have been telling, as the Avalanche have run over St. Louis. They are the faster and deeper team, and that will once again be on display Wednesday with the Avs having the ability to turn this into a blowout.
Pick: Avalanche -1.5 (+100 at DraftKings)
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