Blues Become Heavy -290 Favorites to Advance vs Stars After Taking 2-1 Series Lead

*Odds taken on April 30, 2019

The St Louis Blues are one of the biggest surprises this season. They were dead-last in early January, but then went on a tear, winning 30 of their final 45 games and coming within a hair of winning the Central Division.

The biggest key to their mid-season turnaround was the play of rookie goalie Jordan Binnington. He went a remarkable 13-1-1 in his first 15 starts and gave St. Louis an unexpected boost.

The Calder contender hasn’t been quite as good in the postseason — his save percentage has dropped from .927 to .910 while his Goals Saved Above Average is in the negative (-1.84) — but he’s shone in some big moments in tough road environments.

#stlblues Jordan Binnington becomes the first rookie goaltender to start his playoff career 4-0 on the road since Cam Ward in 2006

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) April 30, 2019

Stars are still in this series

The Dallas Stars should not be written off. They found themselves down 2-1 to heavily favored Nashville in the first round, as well, before storming back to win three straight.

Two weeks ago today, the Stars lost Game 3 at home to Nashville and trailed in the series, 2-1. While St. Louis is a different team, Seguin says the Stars have been here before. pic.twitter.com/rxS0H80dNb

— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) April 30, 2019

The Predators were a team in disarray to be sure, but Dallas is stronger and more balanced than many realize.

All season, the Stars have received strong goaltending from Ben Bishop. They also have one of the most dominant first lines in the NHL in Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin and Alexander Radulov. Roope Hintz, who leads all rookies with four goals and three assists in the playoffs, has provided crucial secondary scoring skating on the second line with proven playoff performer Mats Zuccarello.

Mats Zuccarello ➡️ Roope Hintz ➡️ Net. ? pic.twitter.com/R6CNvjAIbK

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 27, 2019

The Best Bet

As evenly matched as these teams are, the price is not too steep for St Louis at -290.

Dallas would have to win three of the next four to bounce the Blues. The way St. Louis has played in the second half of the season, coupled with their outstanding performances on the road in the playoffs, that’s a galaxy too far for the Stars.