A clear difference is immediately apparent with the Blues this season. One year ago, St. Louis was an NHL betting odds longshot. Yet the Blues pulled off one of the greatest upsets of all time. St. Louis ended up hoisting the Stanley Cup. Just four months after being in last place overall. This year the Blues are the target. While the Canucks are the potential dark horse. Vancouver goaltender Job Markstrom can steal games. Just as Jorden Binnington did for the Blues in 2019. St. Louis and Vancouver are indicative of the NHL Playoffs unpredictability.
Vancouver Canucks vs. St. Louis Blues – Western Conference Playoffs – Game One
| Date and Time: | Wednesday, August 12, 2020, 10:30 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Rogers Place, Edmonton, Alberta |
| Canucks vs. Blues TV Coverage: | NBCSN |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canucks | +1½ (-190) | 5½ (+110) | +133 |  |
| Blues | -1½ (+165) | 5½ (-130) | -153 | |
| ||||
Canucks vs. Blues SBG Odds Overview
Last year’s St. Louis Stanley Championship is fresh on the minds of the gamblers. Vancouver is not nearly as well-known as the online wagering public. Further, St. Louis was first overall most of this season. In view of these facts, the Blues will be strong betting favorites.
Vancouver Canucks Team Overview
Overall, the Canucks were 36-27-6 in the regular season. Vancouver scored a 3-1 series win over Minnesota in the Qualifier Round. NHL metrics have the Canucks eighth for goals, fourth for power play, 20th for goals against, and 16th for penalty killing.
Key Vancouver Canucks: D Quinn Hughes 1 G, 5 A, 6 PTS, 2 +/-, 1 PPG, 3 PPA, 0 SHG, 12.5 SPCT, C Elias Pettersson 1 G, 3 A, 4 PTS, 1 +/-, 1 PPG, 2 PPA, 0 SHG, 0 SPCT, G Jacob Markstrom 2.27 GAA, .926 SVPCT, 1 SO
St. Louis Blues Team Overview
First in the Western Conference were the Blues at 42-19-10. However, the Blues lost all three round-robin games. St. Louis ranks 14th for goals, third for power play, fifth for goals against, and 17th for penalty killing. Cause by their round-robin flop is St. Louis fourth seed in the West.
Key St. Louis Blues: C Ryan O’Reilly 0 G, 3 A, 3 PTS, 1 +/-, 0 PPG, 1 PPA, 0 SHG, 0.0 SPCT, D Colton Parayko 2 G, 0 A, 2 PTS, 0 +/-, 0 PPG, 0 PPA, 0 SHG, 18.2 SPCT, G Jordan Binnington 0-2, 4.10 GAA, .895 SVPCT, 0 SO
Vancouver Canucks and St. Louis Blues Against the Spread
The Vancouver Canucks are:
- 7-8 in their last 15 games as a dog
- 6-3-1 over the total in their last 10 games as underdogs
- 3-6 in their last nine games as a dog to St. Louis
- 4-11-2 under the total when underdogs against the Blues
The St. Louis Blues are:
- 10-5 in their last 15 overall games with the Canucks
- 2-5-1 under the total against Vancouver
- 9-3 in their last 12 games as a favorite
- 3-9 under the total as chalk
Vancouver Canucks vs. St. Louis Blues SBG Free Pick
Owing to their recent performances the Canucks could bring strong value. Casual money will overload for St. Louis with the NHL lines. Of great concern is that the Blues won’t be a surprise team this year. In fact, as defending champions they have a bullseye. Markstrom gives the Canucks a shot in every game.
Canucks vs. Blues SBG Best Pick: Vancouver Canucks