The Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues will continue their best-of-seven second-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon in St. Louis. The Blues have home-ice advantage in this series, and they used that to their advantage in taking a 1-0 series lead with a win in Game 1. Dallas kept the game close throughout but eventually fell by a score of 3-2.
St. Louis advanced to the second round by eliminating the Winnipeg Jets in six games. The Blues were the worst team in the NHL at Christmas but have bounced back in a big way. Dallas got past the Nashville Predators in six games in the first round, and have been a consistent team all season long. The Stars are +125 against the St. Louis Blues in Game 2 of the series.
Tarasenko Shines in Series Opener
Vladimir Tarasenko has been the offensive star for the Blues in recent seasons, but he was held in check in the first round. Tarasenko woke up in the series opener against the Stars and led the Blues with a pair of goals. The talented Tarasenko has now tied Jaden Schwartz with four goals so far in these playoffs, and the Blues can score some goals. St. Louis would rather play a defensive style of game, but they do have some firepower on their roster.
Rookie goaltender Jordan Binnington has not been as sharp in the postseason as he was in the regular season, but he has still been great. Binnington has stopped 91 percent of the shots that he has faced so far in the playoffs but has also given up 18 goals. The Blues allowed just 2.68 goals per game during the regular season, and their defense was on display in Game 1 of the series.
Bishop Carrying Stars Team
Speaking of terrific goaltending; veteran Ben Bishop has been carrying the Dallas Stars all playoffs long. Bishop has given up just 15 goals and is stopping 94 percent of the shots that he has faced. The former St. Louis Blues netminder suffered a tough-luck loss in the series opener, but there is no doubt that he will be a force throughout this series.
Dallas was one of the lowest scoring teams in the NHL during the regular season, but their offense has picked up their game a bit so far this postseason. Right winger Alexander Radulov scored four goals in the first-round series but was held in check in the series opener. Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn have combined for 13 points so far this postseason, and they both have a history of performing well in the playoffs.
Bishop, Stars Even Up Series
The Dallas Stars could have easily won the series opener on the road, but they will get another chance at it on Saturday afternoon. There doesn’t seem to be a ton of separation between these two teams, and this series will likely go the distance. Look for Ben Bishop and the Dallas Stars to get some revenge against the Blues in Game 2 and even up this series. Bet the Dallas Stars +125 against the St. Louis Blues in this game.
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