Two teams squaring off for the second time this season, the Anaheim Ducks and the St. Louis Blues take the ice at the Scottrade Center in a Western Conference tilt. Fox Sports Midwest will air the action, which gets underway at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 14.
Anaheim Ducks vs. St. Louis Blues Odds
St. Louis (+130) is playing the role of underdog to St. Louis (-150), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -125 under, +105 over.
St. Louis is 21-11 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 6.3 units this season. That winning percentage, ranked second in the NHL in this young season, is an improvement over the 46-36 record from the 2016-17 season campaign. Out of its 32 regular season contests, 17 of them have gone under the total, while 15 have gone over and none have pushed. The teams 11-6 SU at home this season.
The Blues have converted on just 16.7 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that places them in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 21st overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 79.6 percent of all penalties.
The Blues, as a collective unit, have been penalized just 3.5 times per game overall this season, 3.2 per game over their last five outings total, and 3.8 per game over their last five at home. The teams had to defend opposition power plays for just 7.1 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, overall.
Averaging 25.2 saves per game with a .913 save percentage, Jake Allen (17-10-2) has been the primary option in goal for the Blue Notes this year. If head coach Mike Yeo chooses to give him the night off, however, the team could go with Carter Hutton (5-3-3 record, .937 save percentage, 1.88 goals against average).
Brayden Schenn and Jaden Schwartz will each look to continue their strong seasons for the Blues. Schenn (37 points) is up to 16 goals and 21 assists and has recorded two or more points 10 times this year. Schwartz has 14 goals and 21 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 20 games.
Anaheim is 13-18 straight up (SU) and has lost 4.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 31 regular season contests, 19 of its games have gone under the total, while 11 have gone over and just one has pushed. As the visiting team so far, the Ducks are 5-8 SU.
The Ducks have converted on just 17.4 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that places them in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked fifth overall and it’s successfully killed off 83.2 percent of all penalties.
Anaheim’s skaters have been penalized 5.0 times per game in total this season, and 5.8 per game over their last five road outings. The team has had to kill penalties 12.6 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
John Gibson (.921 save percentage and 2.92 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Anaheim. Gibson is averaging 31.4 saves per game and has nine wins, 15 losses, and four overtime losses to his credit.
Corey Perry (six goals, 16 assists) has been one of the most vital playmaking threats for the visiting Ducks.
Anaheim Ducks vs. St. Louis Blues Betting Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Blues, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- Three of Anaheim’s last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 0-3 in those games and 2-4 overall in shootouts this season.
- The under has hit in three of St. Louis last five outings.
- Anaheim has managed 29.8 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while St. Louis has been attempting 36.6 shots per game over its last five at home.
- Four of Anaheim’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 1-3 in those games.
- This game features two of the more physical defenses in the league. Anaheim skaters have accounted for the leagues seventh-most hits per game (23.7) and the Blue Notes have handed the seventh-most (23.7).
