In a game between two teams that are squarely in playoff contention, the St. Louis Blues and the Minnesota Wild take the ice at the Xcel Energy Center in a divisional matchup. The opening face-off is at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 27, and you’ll be able to view it live on NBC Sports Network.
St. Louis Blues at Minnesota Wild Odds
St. Louis (+130) is playing the role of underdog to Minnesota (-150) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 5 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -140 for the over and +120 for the under.
Minnesota is 35-27 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 2.0 units this year. That winning percentage, ranked 3rd in the Central Division in this young season, is fairly close to the 49-33 record the team managed during last year’s regular season campaign. Through 62 regular season outings, 31 of its games have gone over the total, while 28 have gone under and just three have pushed. This season, the team is 21-11 SU at home.
The Wild have converted on 20.8 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 16th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 80.8 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Wild have been whistled for penalties 3.9 times per game overall this season, and 2.6 per game over their past five games. The team has been forced to stave off opposition power plays for just 6.4 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, overall.
Averaging 27.8 saves per game with a .919 save percentage, Devan Dubnyk (27-17-5) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Wild this year. If Minnesota decides to rest him, however, the team may go with Alex Stalock (9-14-14 record, .916 save percentage, 2.73 goals against average).
Eric Staal and Mikael Granlund will each look to continue their strong seasons for the Wild. Staal (59 points) is up to 30 goals and 29 assists and has recorded two or more points in 15 different games this year. Granlund has 17 goals and 32 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 31 games.
St. Louis is 34-29 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.6 units for moneyline bettors thus far. A total of 38 of its outings have gone under the total, while 24 have gone over and just one has pushed. The Blues are 15-15 SU as the visiting team this season.
The Blues have converted on just 15.8 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that places them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 15th overall and it’s successfully killed off 81.6 percent of all penalties.
St. Louis’ skaters have been called for penalties only 3.5 times per game in total this season, 3.6 per game over their past five outings total, and 3.6 per game over their last five games as the visiting team. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 8.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jake Allen (25.3 saves per game) has been the main option in goal for St. Louis. Allen owns a 19-24-2 record, while registering a .906 save percentage and 2.78 goals against average this year.
Brayden Schenn (24 goals, 31 assists) and Vladimir Tarasenko (24 goals, 29 assists) are the top offensive options for St. Louis and will lead the attack for the visiting Blues.
St. Louis Blues vs. Minnesota Wild Betting Picks
Free NHL Pick: SU Winner – Wild, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- St. Louis is 3-0 in games decided by a shootout this season while Minnesota is 3-2 in shootouts.
- The total has gone under in three of Minnesota’s last five outings.
- Minnesota has averaged 4.0 goals per game (while allowing just 2.0) across its four-game winning streak.
- Six of St. Louis’ last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 2-4 in those games.
- St. Louis skaters have accounted for the ninth-most hits in the league (22.5 per game).
