Stanley Cup Finals Preview

Our hockey expert is nowhere to be found. “The Beard” as you might remember, took over our hockey platform because of the limited content. He wrote a blog, as in one, discussing the Western and Eastern Conference Finals. He highlighted his picks and predictions for the series’ and then vanished. So where did he go? It might have something to do with that 30+/1 ticket he had on the exact Stanley Cup matchup. On February 22nd, “The Beard” bet that the San Jose Sharks and Boston Bruins would play in the Stanley Cup. Hell of a ticket. Unfortunately, the Sharks ran into a freight train… The St. Louis fucking Blues! After losing game 1 in a bloodbath, the Blues went on to win 4 of the next 5 and looked reeeaaaaalllll good doing so. Game 1 is tonight and it’s gonna be one hell of a championship series. So here’s a Stanley Cup preview from a biased St. Louis Blues fan, with minimal hockey knowledge because our hockey expert might be in a ditch somewhere after losing his future bet. But truthfully, I hope he’s doing well.

Betting Background

The Boston Bruins opened up as -150 favorites and have since been bet to -160. Sure hate to see the sharps betting the Bruins here but I’ll ignore that for the time being. The Bruins waxed the Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Finals. They outscored them 17-5 in the four games and never broke a sweat doing so. What’s really worrying me however, is the way Tukka Rask is playing. He’s only allowing 1.84 goals per game and is saving 94% of opponents shots. With Rask standing on his head in net, goals won’t be easy to come by. But don’t count out the Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington. This kid came out of nowhere and saved the Blues after their terrible start to the season. He went 24-5 only allowing 1.89 goals per gamed during that stretch. After a controversial hand pass loss in game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, it would’ve been easy to make excuses the next few games. Well, over the final three games against he the Sharks, he allowed just 2 goals on 77 shots. If Binnington doesn’t let the bright lights rattle him, Gloria will be blasting through the St. Louis streets come parade day.

(GOOSEBUMPS!)

Side note: With both goalies playing lights out and two top-5 ranked defenses in the NHL, look to bet the Under throughout the series. Since 2005, the Under is 47-25-6.

Game 1: Under 5.5 -120

St. Louis Blues vs Boston Bruins

Prediction: Blues in 7

These teams play identical styles. Gritty defense and some solid goalie play. I think that bodes well for the Blues. The Bruins love to bully teams. Brad Marchand is such a little asshole. Just always fucking with people… Licking their face, hitting people after the whistle, slashing some lower bodys— you name it, he does it. Reminds me a lot of myself in grade school to be honest. But most times, talking shit catches up with people. I expect him take on plenty of hits from Parayko and Bortuzoo just like the Shark’s Karlsson did who couldn’t even play in game 6. The teams that scare me matchup wise are the ones that really light up the scoreboard and make us chase all game. I just don’t think see either team running away with this series. Without question, it has the making for a classic 7 game series. I love the Blues ability to win on the road. They have been doing it all regular season and postseason (9-2) which I think will be the difference in this one. I think they steal game 1 tonight, and fuck it, why not win game 7 in Boston? What a site that would be… 49 years ago the Bruins swept the St. Louis Blues in the Stanley Cup. Now the Blues have a chance to flip the script in 2019? You can’t write a better story than that. Look for the cinderella team to finish of the dream season in 7 games.

Blues +140