2019 NHL Playoffs: Stanley Cup Finals Game 2, St. Louis Blues vs Boston Bruins - Predictions, Odds and How to Watch

Where: TD Garden – Boston, MA.

When: Wednesday, May 29, 8PM EST

How (TV/Radio): CBC, Sportsnet, TVAS, NBC | WFAN

St. Louis Blues (Away)

Head Coach: Craig Berube {All-Time 113-77-34 STL, PHI}

Can the Blues win the Stanley Cup? The St. Louis Blues started game one against the Boston Bruins strong, scoring the only goal in the first period and an early second period goal to go up 2-0. It appeared that the Bruins were sluggish after having ten days off since eliminating the Carolina Hurricanes and the Blues seemed to be exploiting that. Then it all fell apart.

Other than barely out-hitting their opponents 35-32, the Blues were dominated all over the ice, specifically after that first period. To begin with, the Blues were only 45 percent in the faceoff circle, leading to a game of abysmal puck possession. Because of this, the Blues only managed 20 shots on goal – only three in the second period. The pucks the Blues did get, they gave away, as they coughed over multiple turnovers to the Bruins over the course of the game. The Blues also took four penalties in the first two periods.

A shining light for the Blues was goaltender Jordan Binnington. Although he allowed three goals (one was an empty-netter), he still managed 34 saves in game one. He will get the start again for St. Louis in game two and so far throughout the playoffs he has put together a 2.40 goals against average and a .915 save percentage. He has one shutout.

Boston Bruins (Home)

Head Coach: Bruce Cassidy {All-Time 164-99-9-29 BOS, WSH}

The Bruins came out looking rusty after all their time off and looked to be missing a step. But the veteran contenders regrouped and pulled it together, pulling off the comeback in dominant fashion. In fact, the Bruins haven’t lost a game since game three of their second round against Columbus. In that time, they have outscored opponents 32-11.

Boston got their game together in the second period and ended the game with 38 shots on goal. They ended the game with a 54.4 percent success rate in faceoffs and went 1-for-5 on the power play against St. Louis. The Bruins puck control was to be admired as they were able to make space for themselves to complete clean passes and breakouts into the Blues’ zone. They will also continue to have the home-ice advantage in game two.

Tuukka Rask, although not as busy as usual, was still a key player in game on and will be in the crease for Boston in game two. The Conn Smythe contender has a playoff goals against average of 1.85 and a .940 save percentage. He also has two shutouts this postseason.

Series recap (Boston leads 1-0) Game one: 4-2 Boston

NHL Playoff Performers

Jaden Schwartz is still leading the way for the St. Louis Blues. Schwartz has tallied 12 goals and 17 points this postseason. He is plus-6 with a .85 points per game average. He has two power play goals and two game-winning goals. Schwartz has 54 shots on goal, good enough for a 22.2 shooting percentage.

Brad Marchand may be leading the Bruins in scoring but over the last round against Carolina and in game one against the Blues, goaltender Tuukka Rask has really proved his importance to the team. Rask leads all goalies this postseason with an impressive 1.85 goals against average. His save percentage of .940 also leads all goalies. He has two shutouts in 18 games and has a postseason record of 13-5.

Questions to Answer Before Game 2

Can the St. Louis Blues play a better game of possession – starting with improving their faceoff percentage?

Can Jordan Binnington continue to play under the pressure that is the Stanley Cup finals against an all-star like Tuukka Rask across the ice from him?

Can the Blues put together a bounce back performance as they became known for across rounds two and three?

St. Louis Blues Injury Report

D Vince Dunn – day-to-day (upper-body)

F Erik Foley – IR (concussion)

Boston Bruins Injury Report

F Chris Wagner – day-to-day (right arm)

D Kevan Miller -day-to-day (lower-body)

D Urho Vaakanainen – IR (concussion)

St. Louis Blues vs. Boston Bruins Predictions and Odds

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Here are the latest odds for Stanley Cup Finals Game 2. Good luck!

Moneyline

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Total Goals

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Puck Line

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