NHL: Minnesota Wild vs St. Louis Blues odds, picks, and predictions

The St. Louis Blues and the Minnesota Wild will square off in the first game of the Western Conference First Round NHL Playoffs on Monday at the Xcel Energy Center. After winning 10 of their previous 13 games, the St. Louis Blues are looking for a victory. The Minnesota Wild are looking for their second win in a row after winning 10 of their previous 12 games. Averaging 3.8 goals per game, the St. Louis Blues are scoring on 26.5 percent of their power play opportunities this season. The Blues' Vladimir Tarasenko leads the team in scoring with 34 goals, while Robert Thomas has 57 assists and Pavel Buchnevich has 199 shots on goal to his credit. St. Louis Blues defensemen are surrendering 2.9 goals per game while putting a stop to 84.4 percent of their opponents' power play opportunities. As a result of 1,135 shots faced, Jordan Binnington has surrendered 112 goals, while Ville Husso has surrendered 100 goals on 1,236 shots.

Averaging 3.7 goals per game, the Minnesota Wild have converted on 20.9 percent of their power play opportunities this season. Kirill Kaprizov leads the Minnesota Wild with 47 goals, Mats Zuccarello has 55 assists, and Kevin Fiala has 262 shots on goal to lead the team in shooting percentage. The Minnesota Wild are allowing 3.1 goals per game on defense and are killing 75.8 percent of their opponent's power-play opportunities this season. Cam Talbot has surrendered 132 goals on 1,488 shots faced, while Marc-Andre Fleury has surrendered 30 goals on 334 shots faced in his career.

The Blues have won seven of their last eight road games and are 12-3 in their last fifteen overall games. It's been a great season for the Wild, who have gone 51-16 at home and 21-7 overall in their last 28 games. The over has gone 19-6-1 in the Blues' last 26 games in total. In the Wild's last 56 home games, the over has gone 37-18-1. The Blues have won five of their last seven meetings in Minnesota and are 13-3 in their last sixteen meetings overall.

Minnesota Wild vs St. Louis Blues picks and predictions

My Pick: St. Louis Blues