Blue Jackets Given +310 Odds to Advance to Eastern Conference Final After Losing Game 5

• Oddsmakers peg the Columbus Blue Jackets as +310 underdogs to win their Stanley Cup second-round playoff series against Boston
• The Bruins lead the best-of-seven set 3-2
• Columbus has never advanced to the Eastern Conference final

The Boston Bruins are teaching the Columbus Blue Jackets the same lesson that they gave the Toronto Maple Leafs in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The deeper you go into a Stanley Cup series against the Bruins, the stronger Boston gets.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Boston Bruins Playoff Series Odds

Odds taken on 05/05/19.

Following their 3-2 win Saturday at TD Garden to claim a 3-2 series lead over the Blue Jackets, online sportsbooks now put Boston as the prohibitive -420 chalk to eliminate the Blue Jackets and advance to the Eastern Conference final. Boston was just -135 favorites after Game 4.

The Bruins last played in a conference final series in 2013.

The @NHLBruins and @SanJoseSharks each took a 3-2 series lead.

When a best-of-seven series is tied 2-2, the winner of Game 5 owns an all-time series record of 207-57 (78.4%), including a 2-2 mark in the 2019 #StanleyCup Playoffs. More #NHLStats: https://t.co/5FygrxTJfj pic.twitter.com/je6BOUu4ek

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 5, 2019

Down But Not Out

Boston fell behind 2-1 to the Blue Jackets in this series but has taken control of the set with consecutive victories in Games 4 and 5.

Winner, winner…Pasta for dinner.@pastrnak96 | #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/EHAP8vJgFt

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) May 5, 2019

Even in Game 5, when Columbus scored twice in 1:57 during the third period to erase Boston’s 3-1 lead, the Bruins didn’t panic. David Pastrnak netted his second goal of the night, potting the game-winner with 1:28 remaining in regulation.

In the first round against the Leafs, Boston fell behind 2-1 and 3-2 in that series. But facing elimination, the Bruins won Game 6 at Toronto and took a decisive 5-1 verdict on home ice in Game 7.

Bold Talk From Torts

The Blue Jackets scored three third-period goals but couldn’t find the tally that would give them the win. After the game, Columbus coach John Tortorella assured everyone that his team would take care of business on home ice in Game 6 and be back at TD Garden for Game 7.

The Blue Jackets have never reached an Eastern Conference final. Their stunning sweep of the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Tampa Bay Lighting in Round 1 was the first playoff series win in franchise history.

Bruins Have Been There, Done That

It’s been an unusual Stanley Cup tournament. All four wildcards remain in the hunt. All four division winners are long gone.

Amidst this madness, the Bruins are that comfortable pair of slippers you pull on at home after a rough day at the office. They’re the only team left with a chance that’s won a Stanley Cup in the past decade.

Tie. Game. No quit in the @BlueJacketsNHL! #StanleyCup

🇺🇸 Watch: https://t.co/H6T1B2tSH5 @NBCSN
🇨🇦 Watch: https://t.co/Ru1tdgCszT @Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/KiSdxhLplg

— NHL (@NHL) May 5, 2019

Five players remain from Boston’s 2010-11 Cup-winning squad. Six are still with the club from the Bruins’ 2012-13 club that lost to Chicago in the Stanley Cup final.

Even if Tortorella is proven right and the Blue Jackets return to TD Garden for Game 7, Boston has won its last two Game 7s on home ice.

"We just get ready to be better in Game 6" – @NickFoligno#CBJ pic.twitter.com/5sdcEp8NIK

— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) May 5, 2019

All Tortorella guaranteed was that his team would force Game 7. He wasn’t willing to bet on Columbus winning Game 7.

Nor should you.

A bet on Columbus to win Game 6 at home is not a bad play. But then roll your winnings over on the Bruins in Game 7.

Boston is winning this series.