by Chuck Sommers
Wednesday, May 25, 2022Western Conference Second Round, Game 5 -- Avalanche lead 3-1
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Venue: Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO
Where to watch: TNT
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: NL
BetMGM: Avalanche -250, Blues +200
Caesars: Avalanche -250, Blues +205
Al McMordie has reeled off a strong 20-8-0 run over the last month in the NHL. Man, what a start to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Did you enjoy all those Game Sevens? Because we sure did. You think all that fun in Round 1 was great? How about these next four matchups? It’s going to be a wild ride. You need to be tuned in here to find out all the expert analysis. Catch Al’s plays available right now at the Shop Picks page, where you can find all of the Best Bets from our champion sports handicappers.
Blues - Avalanche preview and analysis
May we all say a few words for the end of the St. Louis Blues? What a weird end to the season, already made presumptuous with this goaltending situation through two rounds, is surely coming to an end when the Blues head back to Colorado for Game 5 of this second-round series, which I think we can all agree will come to an end on Wednesday.
The Blues were already down a great deal when Jordan Binnington left in Game 3. All that hope went out the window when Ville Husso was hung out to dry for four goals in the first period and a half. The poor man had to stand on his head after the first period and stopped all 15 shots. He even had a 1-0 lead to work with despite everything. It looked like the Blues could steal one with their young, struggling goaltender at the helm.
Then the second period happened. And then Nazem Kadri happened.
Kadri, who has endured way more than anyone should ever have to endure for something that wasn't even his fault, scored a hat trick and had an assist to pace the Colorado offense in the second period. The Avs jumped out to a 4-1 lead with Kadri scoring twice in that span, and they fended off the Blues' comeback after cutting it to 4-3.
"I wanted to come out tonight and really put a mark on this game," said Kadri. "I tried to do that as best as possible. Sometimes you've got to be patient and you've got to wait. I was able to strike early in the second period and was able to get the mojo going, in terms of individually and as a team, so it felt amazing. Especially to do it on the road, it was pure."
Darcy Kuemper, who has been anything but solid in this series in his own right, made 17 saves on just 20 shots while Husso made 31 saves on 36 shots.
It's clear as day that the Blues' goaltending situation has been the difference between winning and losing this postseason. When Husso has gone in, the Blues have looked horrible. When Binnington has played, it's been damn-near close to dominant.
"Loved our game 5-on-5, loved it," Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. "Right from the drop of the puck, we had a great first period, great second period. We get into penalty trouble, they score a couple of goals on the power play, things get tight, things get hairy."
I don't think we've ever seen a series where the flip-flopping in goaltending has been so paramount than it has altered a series in the way no one expected. And now with the goalie who wasn't supposed to be out now being the one who is out, the Avalanche find themselves one win away from finally reaching the Western Conference Final.
Three postseasons of anguish, Game Sevens, choking 2-0 series leads, all of it has come to this with the Blues now without the services of Binnington, for better or worse. And now, the Avs are close to realizing their Stanley Cup aspirations. Unless Husso decides to play like Patrick Roy, I'm convinced we can say goodbye to this year's version of the St. Louis Blues, and by all accounts, that should be the way it is.
"We got out-skated for most of the game 5-on-5. It's pretty simple," St. Louis coach Craig Berube said. "I don't know why. We got out-skated. They out-skated us. Got to every loose puck. Lost a lot of puck battles."
The Blues were already down a great deal when Jordan Binnington left in Game 3. All that hope went out the window when Ville Husso was hung out to dry for four goals in the first period and a half. The poor man had to stand on his head after the first period and stopped all 15 shots. He even had a 1-0 lead to work with despite everything. It looked like the Blues could steal one with their young, struggling goaltender at the helm.
Then the second period happened. And then Nazem Kadri happened.
Kadri, who has endured way more than anyone should ever have to endure for something that wasn't even his fault, scored a hat trick and had an assist to pace the Colorado offense in the second period. The Avs jumped out to a 4-1 lead with Kadri scoring twice in that span, and they fended off the Blues' comeback after cutting it to 4-3.
"I wanted to come out tonight and really put a mark on this game," said Kadri. "I tried to do that as best as possible. Sometimes you've got to be patient and you've got to wait. I was able to strike early in the second period and was able to get the mojo going, in terms of individually and as a team, so it felt amazing. Especially to do it on the road, it was pure."
Darcy Kuemper, who has been anything but solid in this series in his own right, made 17 saves on just 20 shots while Husso made 31 saves on 36 shots.
It's clear as day that the Blues' goaltending situation has been the difference between winning and losing this postseason. When Husso has gone in, the Blues have looked horrible. When Binnington has played, it's been damn-near close to dominant.
"Loved our game 5-on-5, loved it," Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. "Right from the drop of the puck, we had a great first period, great second period. We get into penalty trouble, they score a couple of goals on the power play, things get tight, things get hairy."
I don't think we've ever seen a series where the flip-flopping in goaltending has been so paramount than it has altered a series in the way no one expected. And now with the goalie who wasn't supposed to be out now being the one who is out, the Avalanche find themselves one win away from finally reaching the Western Conference Final.
Three postseasons of anguish, Game Sevens, choking 2-0 series leads, all of it has come to this with the Blues now without the services of Binnington, for better or worse. And now, the Avs are close to realizing their Stanley Cup aspirations. Unless Husso decides to play like Patrick Roy, I'm convinced we can say goodbye to this year's version of the St. Louis Blues, and by all accounts, that should be the way it is.
"We got out-skated for most of the game 5-on-5. It's pretty simple," St. Louis coach Craig Berube said. "I don't know why. We got out-skated. They out-skated us. Got to every loose puck. Lost a lot of puck battles."
Prediction
In literal terms, this game could turn into an avalanche. Husso will be shellshocked if he gives up two goals in 10 minutes. This won't end well for the Blues. May we all bless the Avalanche. Avalanche win 6-1
Betting trends
Blues are 9-19 the past three seasons off a home loss against a division rival.
Blues are 7-1 this season after allowing four goals or more in two straight games.
Avalanche are 7-5 all-time when leading a series 3-1.
Avalanche are 9-1 this season after scoring five goals in consecutive games.
Blues are 7-1 this season after allowing four goals or more in two straight games.
Avalanche are 7-5 all-time when leading a series 3-1.
Avalanche are 9-1 this season after scoring five goals in consecutive games.
Projected lines
Blues:
Brayden Schenn -- Ryan O'Reilly -- David Perron
Pavel Buchnevich -- Robert Thomas -- Vladimir Tarasenko
Brandon Saad -- Ivan Barbashev -- Jordan Kyrou
Alexei Toropchenko -- Tyler Bozak
Nick Leddy -- Colton Parayko
Calle Rosen -- Justin Faulk
Niko Mikkola -- Robert Bortuzzo
Scott Perunovich
Ville Husso
Avalanche:
Avalanche:
Valeri Nichushkin -- Nathan MacKinnon -- Mikko Rantanen
Gabriel Landeskog -- Nazem Kadri -- Artturi Lehkonen
Andre Burakovsky -- J.T. Compher -- Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Darren Helm -- Nico Sturm - Logan O'Connor
Devon Toews -- Cale Makar
Bowen Byram -- Josh Manson
Jack Johnson -- Erik Johnson
Darcy Kuemper
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
