The Colorado Avalanche had Game 5 of their NHL Western Conference semifinal series against the St. Louis Blues in the bag and a trip to the West Finals set … and then they didn’t. The Blues made a stunning rally to force Game 6 back in St. Louis on Friday. However, the Avalanche are favored on the NHL odds to finish things off.
How to Bet Avalanche at Blues NHL Hockey Odds & TV Info
Why Bet on Colorado?
Colorado was up 3-0 at home in the second period of Game 5 but blew that before taking a 4-3 lead late in the third quarter, only to cough up the tying goal in the final minute and lose in overtime 5-4.
“We stopped playing,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “They’re a desperate team, facing elimination. … We had a pretty good first half of the game and built a nice lead and we’re doing everything right. And to me, it just kind of disappeared.”
Nathan MacKinnon scored a hat trick and added an assist in the loss. MacKinnon scored twice in the first period, including a power-play goal. He added an assist on Gabriel Landeskog’s goal in the second period and scored on a spectacular coast-to-coast for the go-ahead tally in the third after the Blues pulled even. The 26-year-old has gotten on the scoresheet in eight of nine playoff outings. Overall, he has eight goals, five helpers, 52 shots on net, 11 hits and a plus-6 rating in the postseason.
MacKinnon recorded his second-career playoff hat trick – tied with Peter Stastny, Michel Goulet and Joe Sakic for the most in Avalanche/Nordiques history. MacKinnon had recorded his fourth career four-point playoff game and surpassed Peter Forsberg for the most in Avalanche/Nordiques history. MacKinnon was the first player in franchise history to score a hat trick in a potential series-clinching game. MacKinnon and Nazem Kadri each scored a hat trick in back-to-back games, marking just the second instance of consecutive playoff hat tricks in franchise history.
Defenseman Bowen Byram registered two assists. It was his second straight multi-point game and Byrom has five helpers in nine playoff contests this year. Fellow young blueliner Cale Makar notched a power-play assist, four shots on goal and two blocked shots. He’s up to three goals, 10 helpers, 35 shots on net, 19 blocked shots and a plus-6 rating in nine postseason contests.
Darcy Kuemper stopped 25 of 30 shots in a losing effort. Kuemper couldn’t make the Avalanche’s three-goal lead early on last to the end, allowing two goals in the final five minutes of regulation.
The Avalanche now own a 22-9 all-time record when scoring first in potential series-clinching games.
Why Bet on St. Louis?
The Blues had been just 10-33 all-time after allowing the first goal when facing elimination. Tyler Bozak scored 3:38 into overtime as St. Louis rallied for a 5-4 win to keep its season alive. Bozak won it with a slap shot from the point that went under the glove of Darcy Kuemper. His goal came after Robert Thomas tied it 4-4 with 56 seconds left in the third period on a rebound near the left post. It was Bozak’s second career playoff OT goal.
“Just got a little bounce up top and saw lane to the net, and in overtime there’s definitely no such thing as a bad shot. So just tried to get it through on the traffic and it went in,” Bozak said. “Obviously, feels great. Just a resilient group of guys. Got down and didn’t want the season to be over and fought hard. Got some big goals late, and I was lucky enough to be on the end of the one in overtime. But it was awesome. We’re excited for our next game.”
St. Louis rallied from a three-goal deficit to win a postseason contest for the fifth time in franchise history and first since Game 3 of the 1998 Conference Quarterfinals (4-3 W at LAK). The Blues became the first team to score two game-tying goals in the final five minutes of regulation when facing elimination. The only other team to do so in any playoff game: Buffalo in Game 1 of the 2006 Conference Semifinals at Ottawa.
Thomas scored twice in the game overall. The only Blues players with more goals in a contest when facing elimination are Scott Young (3 in Game 6 of 2000 CQF), Adam Oates (3 in Game 5 of 1991 DSF) and Greg Paslawski (3 in Game 5 of 1986 DSF).
Vladimir Tarasenko scored a goal and registered an assist. It was his third multi-point game of the 2022 playoffs and up to six goals and nine points in 11 postseason contests. Ville Husso stopped 30 of 34 shots. Husso ended his four-game winless skid and got his first victory since Game 1 of the opening round when he posted a shutout win against Minnesota.
Game Trends
- Avalanche are 4-0 in their last 4 road games.
- Avalanche are 7-2 in their last 9 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.
- Blues are 5-2 in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Blues are 12-5 in their last 17 games following a win.
- Avalanche are 9-3 in the last 12 meetings.
Expert Prediction
- Avalanche 4, Blues 3
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