Due to its parity, the NHL is notoriously hard for winning back to back Stanley Cups. The Pittsburgh Penguins did so in 2016 and 2017, but for the most part, one single team does not dominate for years (in the new era).
With that being said, the defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues have their backs against the wall in round one of the playoffs. Taking on the Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis is down 2-0 in the series.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: August 15th, 12:30 P.M. (EST)
Online bookmaker William Hill has the Blues at -135 on the Money Line.
According to reports, the Blues are undecided about their starting goaltender for tonight’s contest. Will Jordan Binnington get the nod, or will Jake Allen see time in the crease? Binnington has been in the crease for St. Louis during each of their two losses in this series.Canucks’ forward Brock Boeser has been a dishing machine in the playoffs. Tallying 4 assists in two games, Boeser has found open teammates consistently./cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67047039/1194018240.jpg.0.jpg)
Percentages are not on the side of the Blues down 2-0. Historically, NHL teams with a 2-0 lead in a seven-game playoff are 324-51 (.864) in those series. Can the Blues defy the odds, much like they did last season en route to a Stanley Cup?
St. Louis has played five games in the NHL’s restarted postseason and have failed to be the victor in any contest. The playoffs are a time where the hottest team captures victories, not necessarily the better team. But right now, it’s hard to argue that St. Louis is a better team.
