The Avs took two of three from St. Louis in the regular season, but the Blues looked a lot better over the final month before the break and we think the defending champs will be prepared to play, not only in Game 1 of this series, but throughout it.

The Avs enter with a 42-20-8 record, while the Blues are 42-19-10.

Goaltending is a "wash," here, but maybe a slight lean to St. Louis because of the experience factor of last year's championship run.

Mikko Rantanen, Gabriel Landeskog, and Nathan MacKinnon form arguably the best first line in the league and Colorado’s offense is one that all teams fear.

Colorado has been nipping at the Avs heels throughout the season, but St. Louis' experience propels it to a victory here in Game 1.

Good luck, NP