2012 NHL Playoffs Betting Lines – April 14: Sharks vs. Blues Game 2
Matt Skinner here with your 2012 NHL Playoffs betting lines for April 14, specifically for the Sharks vs. Blues Game 2. As always you can find all the latest Hockey betting at Belmont.com, offering tons of FREE CASH when you join today plus buddy referral cash.
San Jose picked the most opportune time to get their 1st win over St Louis this year in Game 1 as an OT win gave them the 1-0 series lead. The Sharks used a late goal to tie the game and carried that momentum over into overtime to steal away home ice from St Louis. Given that the Blues had the best home record in the NHL this season, winning Game 1 was huge for San Jose. Can they continue it though?
Belmont line and total: St Louis -170 and 5
The Blues only lost 6 home games in regulation all year so there record is still intact somewhat after the OT loss in Game 1. Now is not the time you want to be losing though as the Blues really want to prove that this year’s regular season run was not an anomaly. The Blues were 7-2 SU in their next home game following a home loss this year although those two losses came in their final two home games of the year. In fact, the Blues are now 0-4 SU in their last four at home; a stat that was basically inconceivable for most of the year. Now is not the time to go to 0-5 SU and the St Louis knows it.
San Jose looked lost in the 3rd period of Game 1 before they scored that tying goal late. They are playing some good hockey of late though going 5-0 SU in their last five and stretched their Conference Quarterfinals streak to 8-2 SU in their last 10.
However, they are still a suspect team away from home (7-17 last 24 road games) and they are 2-6 SU in their last eight as road dogs. They have been through many playoff battles in recent years and know that while a 2-0 lead heading back home would be nice; splitting the first two against the best home team in the NHL is not exactly bad.
Only one team (Chicago) beat the Blues more than once at home this season and with the stakes being higher than ever for St Louis in Game 2, I expect them to come out and leave everything on the ice. The price is a bit steep at -170 but the Blues should come out on top.
- Matt Skinner, Gambling911.com