St. Louis had a great chance to take a commanding lead with a win at home on Game 3 Saturday night but the contest was over before it began as the Bruins scored a 7-2 win to take a 2-1 series win. St. Louis has been here before, dropping Game 1 before rebounding for an OT win in Boston in Game 2. Oddsmakers are calling the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals Game 4 free pick pretty close (STL -115, BOS -107) but can bettors trust St. Louis after being embarrassed in Game 3?
Is Boston the Play as Their Top Line Seems “Back?”
There was talk that Boston could be done in this series after their Game 2 loss despite the fact that the Bruins had won all 8 of the other games they played in the month of May. One of the reasons St. Louis was drawing a lot of love for Game 3 was not just because it was the first Stanley Cup Finals game in the city in 49 years, but also because the Bruins front line had done next to nothing in the first two tilts. That all changed on Saturday night however as Patrice Bergeron had a goal and 2 assists, David Pastrnak added a score, and Brad Marchand had an assist. Throw in a goal and 3 assists from Torey Krug and the Bruins looked like they could dominate from here on out.
While St. Louis definitely has some questions marks in net ahead of the Stanley Cup Finals game 4 free pick, the Bruins know that Tuukka Rask is ready for the moment. The veteran was supposed to have been rattled by a raucous Saturday night crowd in Game 3, but after the Bruins took a 3-0 lead in the 1st period it was smooth sailing for Rask. He’s had a great Stanley Cup Finals allowing 2 goals in regulation in each of the first three games.
Focus is on Binnington Monday for St. Louis
There’s no doubt that St. Louis’ Jordan Binnington looks like their goaltender of the future – and the present. He didn’t play well at all on Saturday night and that’s an understatement as the rookie gave up 5 goals while facing just 19 shots before getting the early hook. One of the reasons the Blues are still -115 favorites in the Stanley Cup Finals game 4 free pick is because Binnington has bounced back well from a loss in these playoffs. Binnington gave up 2 goals in Game 2 after the Blues fell in the series opener and gave up just 3 goals total following the two losses vs. San Jose in the Western Conference Finals.
One good thing for the Blues ahead of Monday’s game is that it appears there are some reinforcements coming. Oskar Sundqvist is eligible to return Monday from being suspended in Game 3 and Vince Dunn is also expected back after not playing since game 3 vs. the Sharks. What St. Louis really needs is composure however. They took 4 penalties on Saturday, all resulting in Bruins goals. Vladimir Tarasenko getting back on track wouldn’t hurt either as he had a 4-game goal streak snapped last time out. The rest of the first line including Jaden Schwartz and Brayden Schenn also were held scoreless in Game 3.
Stanley Cup Finals Game 4 Free Pick Betting
Only about 57% of the public is on Boston in the Stanley Cup Finals game 4 free pick which is an attest to St. Louis’ tendency to bounce back from a loss so far in this postseason. What it looks like though is that the Bruins have this series in control and have the Blues a bit rattled. Nobody knows what to expect from Binnington in net on Monday, meanwhile Boston’s first line seems to have regained their stride. St. Louis will have to play a perfect game to win – the Bruins will not.
Stanley Cup Free Pick: Boston Bruins -107
