Two squads that’ve positioned themselves firmly in playoff contention, the Nashville Predators and the St. Louis Blues collide at the Scottrade Center in a divisional matchup. The action gets underway at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, November 24 and it can be seen live on TVA Sports.
Nashville Predators at St. Louis Blues Odds
St. Louis (-140) is currently favored over Nashville (+120), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -120 for the under and +100 for the over.
St. Louis is 16-6 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 9.1 units this year. That winning percentage, ranked second in the league in this young season, is an improvement over the 46-36 record from last year’s regular season campaign. Of its 22 games this season, 12 have gone over the total, while 10 have gone under and none have pushed. This year, the teams 8-2 SU at home.
The Blues have converted on just 16.7 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s ranked 24th overall in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 22nd overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 78.3 percent of all penalties.
The Blues, as a collective unit, have been whistled for penalties just 3.7 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five at home. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 8.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, in total.
Averaging 26.6 saves per game with a .909 save percentage, Jake Allen (12 wins, six losses, and one OT loss) has been the top goalkeeper for the Blue Notes this season. If the Blue Notes decide to rest him, however, St. Louis might turn to Carter Hutton (4-1-1 record, .943 save percentage, 1.71 goals against average).
The Blue Notes will continue to lean on the offensive production via Jaden Schwartz and Brayden Schenn. Schwartz (30 points) has tallied 11 goals and 19 assists and has recorded two or more points seven times this year. Schenn has 10 goals and 20 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 15 games.
On the other side of the rink, Nashville is 13-8 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 4.5 units this year. A total of 11 of its outings have gone over the total, while 10 have gone under and none have pushed. The Predators are 5-6 SU as the away team this season.
The Predators currently tout the third-best power-play unit in the NHL, as they’ve converted on 25.0 percent of their extra-man chances in 2017-18. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked ninth overall and it’s successfully killed off 83.7 percent of all opponent power plays.
Nashville’s skaters have been whistled for penalties 6.0 times per game this season, and 5.0 per game over their last five outings. The teams been forced to stave off opponent power plays an unhealthy 15.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Pekka Rinne (29.2 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Nashville. Rinne owns a 12-5-2 record, and has registered a .922 save percentage and 2.44 goals against average this year.
Filip Forsberg (11 goals, 12 assists) will lead the offensive attack for the visiting Predators.
Nashville Predators vs. St. Louis Blues Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Blues, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Nashville is 2-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while St. Louis is 2-0 in shootouts.
- The over has hit in four of St. Louis last five games.
- Nashville has managed 28.0 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while St. Louis has been attempting 36.0 shots per game over its last five at home.
- St. Louis has scored 3.5 goals per game overall this season, but has raised it up to 5.3 per contest in its last three games (the teams a perfect 3-0 SU during that span).
- Seven of Nashville’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 5-2 in those games.
- The Blues this season have handed the eighth-most hits per game (23.7).
