Eric Staal, Brad Hunt, and the Minnesota Wild will face off against David Perron, Brayden Schenn, and the St. Louis Blues at the Enterprise Center in a divisional showdown. NBC Sports Network will broadcast the game, and the puck drops at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 30.
Minnesota Wild vs. St. Louis Blues Odds
St. Louis enters the game as the heavy favorite with a -170 moneyline. The line for Minnesota sits at +150, and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals. The odds for betting the total sit at -105 for the over and -115 for the under.
Losing 2.7 units for moneyline gamblers, St. Louis is 6-6 straight up (SU) overall in the 2019-20 season. That winning percentage, the third-best in the Central Division so far in the early season, is a slide from what the team managed during last year’s regular season (45-37). Through 12 regular season contests, six of its games have gone over the total, while another six have gone under and none have pushed. This year, the team’s 3-3 SU at home.
The Blues have converted on 28.2 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that places them in the top-5 among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 11th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 83.8 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 28.0 saves per game with a .912 save percentage, Jordan Binnington (five wins, five losses, and three OT losses) has been the principal option in goal for St. Louis this season. If the Blue Notes decide to give him a breather, however, head coach Craig Berube may turn to Jake Allen (1-1-1 record, .849 save percentage, 4.17 goals against average).
Minnesota has lost 3.4 units for moneyline bettors this year and is currently 4-8 straight up (SU). Through 12 regular season outings, five of its games have gone over the total, while four have gone under the total and two have pushed. The Wild are 1-7 SU as a road team this season.
The Wild have converted on 19.0 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 20th overall and it’s successfully killed off 79.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
Devan Dubnyk (.880 save percentage and 3.92 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Minnesota. Dubnyk is averaging 24.1 saves per game and owns a 2-5 record.
Minnesota Wild vs. St. Louis Blues Free Picks
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Blues, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- After going 3-3 in games decided by a shootout last year, the Blues are off to a 0-1 start in shootouts this season. The Wild were 1-4 in shootouts last year and has yet to participate in one this time around.
- For both of these clubs, the over has hit in three of their last five outings.
- Minnesota has managed 25.8 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while St. Louis is averaging 32.2 shots per game over its last five at home.
- Minnesota skaters notched 19.5 hits per game last season, while the Blues posted 22.5 hits per contest.
