The Stanley Cup Finals have arrived as Pickswise will be handing out daily winning NHL picks starting on Monday. With over a decade of combined winning experience, Pickswise is your number oneStanley Cup Finals playoff resource to win. To kick off the Stanley Cup Finals games, the St. Louis Blues from the Western Conference and Boston Bruins from the Eastern Conference will go toe to toe. Enjoy these free Finals playoff predictions? Give @Pickswise a follow and get a first hand-look on his daily research.
Game 7: Blues vs. Bruins
Line: Bruins -175
Pickswise Expert Picks: Bruins ML / WIN
In the words of former Hawks center Zaza Pachulia (when his team faced Boston in 2008), “We’re going to game seveeeeeeeeeeeeeen!” Yes, any Game 7–especially for a championship–is exciting. But this one seemingly has an aura of inevitably around it. That’s because even though the Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues are going the distance, one team has clearly been the best most of the way: Boston. Two of the Bruins’ three losses have come by a single goal and the other was a 4-2 setback in which St. Louis scored twice in the third period (once with the net empty) to break a 2-2 tie. Boston, on the other hand, has won by scorelines of 4-2, 7-2, and most recently 5-1 in Game 6 at St. Louis to keep its season live. Overall, the margin stands at 21-14 in Boston’s favor.
Bruins forwards Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak each delivered a goal and an assist on Sunday. They lead a potent attack that also features center Charlie Coyle and defenseman Torey Krug (team-leading 16 assists in the playoffs). That quartet, and others, should like their chances of continuing to victimize Blues goalie Jordan Binnington. He has surrendered 17 goals in this series despite playing only half of Game 3 and his save percentage in the Stanley Cup Final is an alarming .901. He just isn’t the same player that he was during the regular season, although Boston has a lot to do with that. Boston is the city of champions right now, and don’t be surprised if the Bruins plan yet another parade down Boylston Street.
Game 1: Blues vs. Bruins
Line: Bruins -155
Pickswise Expert Picks: Bruins ML / WIN
It’s down to the Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues for the title, with the Stanley Cup Finals beginning on Monday in Boston. The friendly confines of the TD Garden have been just that for the Bruins, who went 29-9-3 on home ice during the regular season. Only the Lightning (32-7-2) were better at home, and while home-ice didn’t work out too well for them in the playoffs it has certainly been a boost for the Bruins. They are 5-1 at the Garden during the playoffs, including 3-0 in their last three by a combined 15-7 margin.
Boston was especially dominant during the Eastern Conference Finals, in which it swept Carolina in four straight contests by a combined 17-5 score. There is a lot to like about the Bruins’ chances, as they are well-rested and also clicking on both ends of the ice. In support of red-hot goalie Tuukka Rask, six players have delivered at least 12 playoff points–headlined by Brad Marchand’s 18. Boston has lit the lamp at least three times in five straight games. Look for the Bruins to take care of business at home in a hard-fought showdown between two confident squads.
Game 2: STL Blues @ BOS Bruins
Line: Bruins -165
Pickswise Expert Pick: Bruins ML/ WIN
It has been a long road for the St. Louis Blues but they are in the Stanley Cup Finals, but after their 4-2 game one loss, the Blues will have to find a way to make something of this series in game two. The Bruins have been almost unbeatable at home in these playoffs, and much like the Eastern Conference Final against the Hurricanes, this series could turn ugly quick. However, the Blues have some strong skaters that could make this series interesting. St. Louis was able to strike first in game one, and if they can do that again they should make game two a good one. The Blues are 6-3 in their last nine games, while the Bruins are 8-0 in their last eight games. Boston is also 6-1 at the TD Garden in their last seven games at home. Shockingly the Blues have an 8-4 record at the TD Garden in the last 12 games played their between Boston and St. Louis. The Blues should make this yet another tight game, but the Bruins just have too many weapons. Back Boston to get the victory in game two and take a 2-0 lead in the series.
Game 3 : BOS Bruins @ STL Blues
Line: Blues -115
Pickswise Expert Pick: Blues ML/ WIN
With the Stanley Cup Final tie at 1-1, Game 3 situations do not get much bigger than this. The pressure will be on both teams in equal fashion when the St. Louis Blues entertain the Boston Bruins at the Scottrade Center on Saturday night. Momentum, however, may not be on level footing. Boston had a golden chance to take a 2-0 lead playing at home on Wednesday, but the Blues bounced back from their opening loss by prevailing 3-2 in overtime. Although St. Louis struggled on home ice during a seven-game series against Dallas in the first round, it is 3-1 in its last four at the Scottrade Center and has not lost in regulation during this stretch.
STL goalie Jordan Binnington was 14-2 at home during the regular season. Overall, Binnington compiled incredible numbers (24-5-1 record, 1.89 goals-against average, .927 save percentage) and has not slowed down in the playoffs. On the other side of the ice, the Blues have lit the lamp at least three times in three of their last four contests–with 15 total goals scored in that span. Seven different team members boast double-digit postseason points, led by forward Jaden Schwartz with 17. St. Louis is 19-7 in its last 26 at home, 13-5 in its last 18 against the Eastern Conference, and 6-1 in its last seven against tams with winning percentages over .600. It is also worth noting that the home team is 5-1 in the last six H2H between STL and BOS. Take the Blues to seize a 2-1 lead in the series
Game 4: BOS Bruins @ STL Blues
Line: Blues -120
Pickswise Expert Pick: Bruins ML/ WIN
Boston will look to continue their offensive outburst, much like they did in game three against the St. Louis Blues. Game three saw nine combined goals scored between the Blues and Bruins, but Boston had the better night as they put up seven goals in the win. Boston has looked like the better team for much of the series with the only real shocker happening in game two when the Blues were able to sneak out an overtime win. The Bruins are 9-1 in their last 10 games, while the Blues have gone 4-2 in their last six. Boston has also won six of the last 10 head-to-head meetings with St. Louis. That also includes three wins this season once in the regular season and then two of their three meetings in the Stanley Cup finals. The Bruins also brings a 5-0 record in their last five road games. That along with the 7-2 victory in game three on the road gives the Bruins plenty of momentum heading into this game four. The Bruins should have a good shot to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series back to Boston for game five. Back Boston to get the win in game four.
Game 5: STL Blues @ BOS Bruins
Line: Blues -155
Pickswise Expert Pick: Bruins ML/ WIN
One team will be within one win of the Stanley Cup following the Game 5 proceedings on Thursday night. The question–and it’s a big one–is which team it will be. Whereas the St. Louis Blue have momentum on their side thanks to Monday’s victory in Game 4, the Boston Bruins have home-ice advantage. Momentum hasn’t meant much so far, as wins have been alternated through four contests. Home ice also hasn’t been a decisive factor, for that matter, as both pairs of games were split. In general, however, the TD Garden has given the Bruins a big boost. They were the second-best home team in the entire NHL during the regular season (behind only Tampa Bay) and they are 6-2 in their last eight such playoff games. Both of the losses during this stretch have come in regulation–including to St. Louis via a 3-2 decision in Game 2.
Although the only score that matters is even, Boston owns an overall 15-11 scoring edge through four games. Center Charlie Coyle has found the back of the net in three straight outings and he also had an assist during a 7-2 Game 3 rout. Coyle is one of five Boston players with at least 16 points during postseason action. Forward Brad Marchand (21) has delivered at last one point in five of the past six contests. In addition to the Bruins’ offensive prowess, goalie Tuukka Rask has been borderline dominant in the playoffs. Rask is 14-7 with a 1.96 goals-against average and .938 save percentage. The home team is 6-2 in the last eight head-to-head matchups, which is just another reason to go with BOSTON to regain the upper hand in this series.
Game 6: BOS Bruins @ STL Blues
Line: Blues -115
Pickswise Expert Pick: Blues ML/ WIN
The St. Louis Blues lead the series 3-2 and are set up with a great chance at winning the first Stanley Cup in their history, with game six being played in St. Louis at Enterprise Center. The only thing standing in their way is the Boston Bruins, who looked like clearly the favorite heading into this series, but has been beaten twice already on their own ice. Can the Bruins force a game seven, or is this destiny for the Boys in Blue. No matter the outcome it is going to be a tight game, for most of the night, and definitely, a game to watch. After their 2-1 controversial ending win in Boston in game five, can the blues keep the momentum rolling back to their own ice, or will we see another thrashing like in game three by Boston? Whatever happens, this game might be the end of a terrific postseason for both teams, if not then laugh in my face, but it only seems right that the Blues finally claim Lord Stanley’s Cup. Therefore the Blues are the team to roll with in game six.
