What Bets Should You Make on Game 5 of the Avalanche/Blues Series?

New York and Edmonton Get Off To Fast Starts and Hold Serve

So, let the debates begin, but home teams got off to some quick starts over the first 20 minutes on Tuesday night. New York struck twice within a couple of minutes to take a 2-0 lead. If that was not enough, the Edmonton Oilers fired in three goals during the opening 20 versus the Calgary Flames.

That is where the similarities ended. Both teams got the same ultimate result. However, New York added a third goal in the second period and promptly answered Carolina’s third-period goal with one of their own. 

As for Canadian sports bettors, the Calgary Flames' comeback was almost predictable. How it happened was not. After two quick second-period goals, Calgary tied the game midway through the third period on a goal best described as utter insanity. 

Rasmus Andersson scored from 132 feet away short-handed past Mike Smith. Smith shrugged his shoulders as if to say what we were all thinking. Despite that, Edmonton rallied as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored the game-winning goal and Evander Kane added a late empty-net tally. Edmonton’s 5-3 win gave them a 3-1 series lead.

As for Wednesday night, again, there is just that one game between Colorado and St. Louis. 

Colorado and St. Louis Game 5 From Denver

Now, the St. Louis Blues did win a game on the road in this series. That was Game 2, when Jordan Binnington was in goal. With Ville Husso starting for the Blues, Colorado has had all the answers. The Avalanche seemingly can score at will against Husso. 

The scary part about this game is players like Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and even Mikko Rantanen have not made their presence known in a few games. It feels like St. Louis stops one line, maybe two, and then the others go off. That might just be the case again on Wednesday night. 

Now, St. Louis will get their chances and possibly goals as well. After all, the Blues had the third-ranked offense in the NHL. Colorado was fourth overall. Ontario wagerers should peruse the many different options for this contest. 

The idea is goals could come in bunches at times for Game 5. 

Here are some bets to consider:

• Colorado wins in regulation – 1.57 (moneyline is 1.40)
• Nathan MacKinnon and David Perron anytime goals – 6.50
• Nathan MacKinnon Over 4.5 shots – 1.77
• Nathan MacKinnon Over 1.5 points – .40
• David Perron Over 2.5 shots – 1.67
• Jordan Kyrou Over 0.5 power-play points – 4.75
• Cale Makar Over 0.5 points – 1.43
• Vladimir Tarasenko Over 0.5 points – 1.83
• Ryan O’Reilly Over 2.5 shots – 1.74
• Mikko Rantanen Over 2.5 shots – 1.59
• Do not forget Nazem Kadri props – They might shift.

Those Early Thursday Game 5 Quick Looks

Here are some things to watch as the Thursday night contests draw closer.

The series numbers for Thursday night reflect the differing natures of the series. Did anyone ever believe the Rangers could draw closer and closer to even money at this point? At 2.30, this is far shorter odds than anyone may have foreseen.

As for Edmonton and Calgary, the Flames are now 5.25 underdogs compared to the Oilers being favourites at 1.18. Again, this is another case of, if you believe in Calgary, one would bet now. Remember, Edmonton was 2.65 underdogs after Game 5 and pulled through. This feels different, however. 

Will Round 2 see another team advance onward? We will find out soon enough. Good luck betting tonight!