TNT will get a Central Division rivalry game on Thursday night in which elimination is possible. The Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues have one of the oldest and hottest rivalries in the NHL. And that has shown in this first round series. Anyone betting on the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs realizes that there is nothing like playoff hockey. For most fans, playoff hockey is different from regular season hockey. There is no comparison between the two with the NHL lines. For example, the Blues have dominated Minnesota in recent years during the regular season. But in the Playoffs, the Wild are giving the Blues all they can handle. The opening round series between the Blues and Wild shifts to St. Louis on Thursday night.
The St. Louis Blues will host the Minnesota Wild at Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. This sixth game will take place on Thursday, May 12, 2022, at 8:30 p.m. ET, with television coverage on TNT.
NHL Betting Lines at BookMaker.eu
Odds Analysis
At the start of this series, the Blues were the solid favorites to eliminate Minnesota. And it was understandable why gamblers saw it that way. St. Louis has owned the Wild in their series over several years. Also, the Blues have public credibility for winning the 2019 Stanley Cup championship.
With that title came higher expectations and more expensive odds on the board based on the popularity gained by hosting Lord Stanley’s Cup. Additionally, Minnesota hasn’t had a serious playoff run in 18 years. Thus, gamblers have no attraction to the Wild.
In a series that has been closer than expected, the Wild shows increased value. Wise Guys appreciate the enhanced value that squares don’t see. Especially when a good team like Minnesota is on the road. Thus, the Wild is gaining traction with more gamblers. Of course, the Blues are a proud legacy franchise dating back 54 years. However, Minnesota could be the team offering more value in game six as the quality club on road ice.
Minnesota Wild
Cam Talbot was the top Minnesota goaltender for 2021-22. And nobody saw that changing. However, Marc Andre Fleury was acquired at the trade deadline by Minnesota. And with that came a change in the goaltending situation. At first, the Wild denied the Fleury would take the net from Talbot. But teams don’t acquire a marquee goaltender like Fleury to have him ride the bench. Fleury has a superior resume of vast playoff experience and multiple Stanley Cup championship rings.
It has been a difficult 12 months for Fleury. Last year, he was splitting time with Robin Lehner in Vegas. Fleury was the face of the franchise for the 2017 expansion Golden Knights. But he never topped his first season performance of leading Vegas to the Stanley Cup Final.
Eventually, Fleury was traded to the rebuilding Blackhawks in the last offseason. Fortunately for him, he was sent to the Wild in time for the playoffs. Now Fleury is excelling in goal.
Additionally, Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek have contributed to Minnesota. Kaprizov has four goals, one assist, and a plus-four. Eriksson Ek adds three goals, two assists, and a plus-five.
St. Louis Blues
To begin with, the Blues have been off their game for much of this series. St. Louis has failed to provide reliable value with the odds. St. Louis has shown championship form at various times in this series. But they have also had periods in which they were rendered helpless.
Minnesota vs. St. Louis Prediction
A boisterous sellout crowd will support the Blues in game six. But St. Louis will likely be pressing and gripping. Minnesota is already playing with house money.
BookMaker Pick: Minnesota Wild
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