Yep, they did it again, a rare home game, but against a quality club that was coming off a loss.
The two Toronto goals were tainted, first was deflected in by Blues defenseman, 2nd one off a Toronto skate, but I was grateful for the OT win.
After my 5 game pledge, again, I am on the Blues, blind, until they lose 2 in a row...
St. Louisans are commonly saying that they cannot believe their eyes, mostly the same players, but look incredibly better, much faster, tougher... every pass is on a stick, etc, etc. They were last in the entire NHL just a bit ago.
GL!
Also as I have stated, former coach Yeo played all speed finesse type game, somewhat wasting the Blues big, strong defensemen's strength, and last night you could see how Berube is using them as physical players to protect the goalie, though yes, their speed comes in handy.
Binnington* in goal made some great saves last night, I have not given him enough credit, he has been outstanding in this run.
Toronto was in about the same place as the Blues in their playoff positioning, were coming off a loss, they were not taken by surprise, they came in alerted to the challenge, they came in to win.
(*Winnington, fans are calling him )
Binnington* in goal made some great saves last night, I have not given him enough credit, he has been outstanding in this run.
Toronto was in about the same place as the Blues in their playoff positioning, were coming off a loss, they were not taken by surprise, they came in alerted to the challenge, they came in to win.
(*Winnington, fans are calling him )
Took Blues -130 for tonight, they can not possibly keep this going but I will ride them till they lose 2 in a row. WTF.
Also like the NY Rangers, -115, plus a small regulation -1/2, and also a small -1.5. Minny is a wreck, on the road, I think they will collapse, again, though they are pros, fighting for million dollar salaries, this might be the game the fight hard, finally. Rangers need it, too, though, at home!
GL!
Also like the NY Rangers, -115, plus a small regulation -1/2, and also a small -1.5. Minny is a wreck, on the road, I think they will collapse, again, though they are pros, fighting for million dollar salaries, this might be the game the fight hard, finally. Rangers need it, too, though, at home!
GL!
11-2 since I mentioned this... and 8 of the games were on the road.
Still haven't lost two in a row, I have been riding them every game till they lose 2 in a row. Unfortunately, I have just been wagering "small or regular" sized bets.
Tonight on the road, again, +115, Allen is in goal, he seems to play well on the road. Steen is back, Columbus is hungry for a win they are on the playoff bubble, so I went small on the Note.
GL!
Blues are a quality club and get another few days off (for a change) before game at home vs. Arizona tomorrow night.
However, Tarasenko will be out, 10 days at least, he is the catalyst for the offense and irreplaceable, one of the top scoring forwards in the NHL though streaky (moody?). Losing him changes everything. Peron has been out for months and then Schenn was out several games (after the Blues winning streak) and the offense clearly suffered. Now, Schenn has been back for a few games and they started scoring again. Til this...
With Tarasenko out, the Blues will have trouble, again, so I would stay away from them for awhile. I would not go against them, though, for awhile except against top opponents, unless they look very bad for a game or two.
The injury is "upper body", reportedly an elbow, so at least he can skate to keep in shape in the meantime.
GL!
However, Tarasenko will be out, 10 days at least, he is the catalyst for the offense and irreplaceable, one of the top scoring forwards in the NHL though streaky (moody?). Losing him changes everything. Peron has been out for months and then Schenn was out several games (after the Blues winning streak) and the offense clearly suffered. Now, Schenn has been back for a few games and they started scoring again. Til this...
With Tarasenko out, the Blues will have trouble, again, so I would stay away from them for awhile. I would not go against them, though, for awhile except against top opponents, unless they look very bad for a game or two.
The injury is "upper body", reportedly an elbow, so at least he can skate to keep in shape in the meantime.
GL!
Well they were 24-22-5 when I posted this, finished *45-28-9. Not bad. New coach implemented traditional physical style, abandoned Yeo's Euro type finesse, led the team with understanding (Yeo was a nit picking pain in the ass) but was a strong leader to be feared if the circumstances warranted it. And Binnington ("Winnington") in goal has led the league. They are a tad offensively challenged but withstood some key injuries to key forwards Perron, Tarasenko, and Schenn.
Playoffs? It's always more physical in the playoffs, and remember The Blues were not built to be a top physical team, and now things change. Can they beat Winnipeg? Yes. Do I recommend them for the series? No. First game? No. Winnipeg is one of the most difficult places to play. I think I will look at the first game, maybe put something small on the Blues, since they are so hot though no longer underrated... the series and first game are both pretty much a pick em.
If I look at anything differently, I will let you know.
GL!
*Large Dumb Marge, put that in your pipe and smoke it
Talked to some people, I was very worried about the physical play in the playoffs, hard to say but in the West SJ is the most physical, then Vegas, Nashville, then Winnipeg, so the Blues with their new coach's tougher style should be OK in this spot in this category, Blues defensemen are good and tough though not playoff level intimidating.
AND of the few losses that the Blues suffered in their strong finish since I drew them to your attention on Feb 4th, 6 were with Allen in goal.
Binnington will be the man for the playoffs.
SO I am now recommending the Blues tomorrow night, I just played them @ +105.
Winnipeg is one of the most hostile environments in the NHL, (home ice advantage in the playoffs generally speaking is not that overwhelming these days). Winnipeg came out early in the year with a roar, then slipped... will they come back to earlier form or do they have some weaknesses?
We shall see.
GL!
AND of the few losses that the Blues suffered in their strong finish since I drew them to your attention on Feb 4th, 6 were with Allen in goal.
Binnington will be the man for the playoffs.
SO I am now recommending the Blues tomorrow night, I just played them @ +105.
Winnipeg is one of the most hostile environments in the NHL, (home ice advantage in the playoffs generally speaking is not that overwhelming these days). Winnipeg came out early in the year with a roar, then slipped... will they come back to earlier form or do they have some weaknesses?
We shall see.
GL!
They are now the Stanley Cup favorites, or close to it, at some books.
Not bad.
I have played them most every game since Feb 4, though I never go BIG on them, I passed on a handful when they were playing back to back (or Allen started) during the season and one against the Jets when I feared they were in over their heads... but they were not.
Blues are solid, no real weaknesses, they are not a top notch physical team but beat a very physical, fast, Winnipeg team in 6 games.
Binnington saved the day a few of the games vs the Jets, but hot goaltending is a huge piece of playoff handicapping, isn't it?
I think they match up well vs. Dallas, but Dallas has played well recently, too.
GL!
I think the Preds were overrated, and Dallas played well, too.
Anyway, IMO, the second round games in the NHL playoffs are, to me, are about the "best" in hockey...
I, though, usually avoid making series bets, there are surprises in the NHL when the teams take the ice, the matchups are not always predictable, etc, are not always what you would think and then you are tied to, stuck with, a series bet, financially and even emotionally. Posters here have pressed based on commitment to a series bet. Ouch.
SO, GL to you, too, fly73!
