The St. Louis Blues (+135), one of the NHL’s weakest power play offenses, head to take on the Nashville Predators (-160) and their stifling penalty killing defense at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday. The total is 6.5 (O: +100, U: -120)St. Louis (3-2-0) is playing on back-to-back days after suffering a 3-1 loss against the Oilers yesterday.
The Blues committed only two penalties in the game, holding Edmonton without a power play goal. Ryan O’Reilly was the only player to find the net for the Blues. Jordan Binnington had a terrific performance with 25 saves (.925%) in the loss.
Nashville (2-4-1) dropped their fifth in a row, falling 3-1 to the Flyers on Saturday. Matt Duchene was the only player to score for the Predators. Juuse Saros only had 22 saves on 25 shots against (.880%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Blues won three of the four games between the teams last season, including an 8-3 victory in their final meeting in April, their third straight win against Nashville. Calle Rosen (2G 1A) and Vladimir Tarasenko (1G 2A) each had three points to lead St. Louis. Nick Cousins and Luke Kunin each had two points (1G 1A) to lead Nashville. Binnington got the win, saving 33 of 36 shots (.916%).
FACING OFF
St. Louis is averaging 2.40 goals per game so far this season, 29th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Predators team that is allowing 3.29 goals a game (24th). Meanwhile, Nashville has found the net 2.29 times a game on average, 30th in the league, and won’t find goals any easier to come by against the Blues’ stout defense, which is holding opponents to 2.40 goals per game (5th).
The Predators’ 29th-ranked power play offense (6.67%) will be put to the test against the Blues, who are the league’s best penalty killing team (100.00%). St. Louis, meanwhile, has scored on 25.00% of their power play opportunities (9th), which the visitors will be looking to add to against Nashville’s ninth-ranked 85.19% penalty killing rate.
TOP PERFORMERS:
Tarasenko (2G 4A) and Brayden Schenn (1G 5A) are the top skaters for the Blues this season with six points each. Justin Faulk (5 points) has also been an offensive leader for St. Louis, scoring three and assisting two. In the net, Binnington (3-1-0) is St. Louis’ top goaltender. He has a 1.74 GAA, fourth-best in the league, and a .936% save percentage.
Mikael Granlund leads the Predators in scoring with six points. He has zero goal and six assists (10th). Saros (1-3-1) has the best goals against average for Nashville at 3.03. He has a save percentage of .894%.
HOME AND AWAY
St. Louis is 2-1-0 on the road this season. Nashville is looking to end a three-game losing run at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Nashville Predators (-160)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
