Vladimir Tarasenko, Ryan O’Reilly, and the St. Louis Blues are set to face off against Elias Pettersson, Bo Horvat, and the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena for a Western Conference showdown. Sportsnet Pacific will showcase the matchup, and the action gets underway at 10 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 20.
St. Louis Blues vs. Vancouver Canucks Odds
The money line for each side is currently set at an identical -110, and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The odds for betting the total stand at -120 over, +100 under.
Vancouver is 16-21 straight up (SU) and has netted 4.2 units for moneyline bettors this season. That early-season winning percentage isn’t too far off from to what the team produced during last year’s regular season (31-51). Of its 37 games this season, 19 have gone over the total, while 17 have gone under and just one has pushed. This season, the team’s 8-9 SU at home.
The Canucks have converted on 18.2 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 19th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 78.1 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 28.6 saves per game with a .904 save percentage, Jacob Markstrom (13-12-3) has been the top goalkeeper for Vancouver this year. If Vancouver chooses to give him a rest, however, the team may turn to Anders Nilsson (3-8-8 record, .900 save percentage, 3.01 goals against average).
St. Louis has lost 7.3 units for moneyline bettors thus far and is currently 13-19 straight up (SU). Through 32 regular season outings, 16 of its games have gone over the total, while 15 have gone under the total and just one has pushed. As the visiting team so far, the Blues are 5-8 SU.
The Blues have converted on 22.0 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked fourth overall and it’s successfully killed off 83.2 percent of all penalties.
Jake Allen (.899 save percentage and 3.14 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for St. Louis. Allen is averaging 25.0 saves per game and owns an 11-15-4 record.
St. Louis Blues vs. Vancouver Canucks Free Picks
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Canucks, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- The total has gone over in four of St. Louis’ last five outings.
- Four of St. Louis’ last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 1-3 in those games.
- St. Louis skaters created 23.1 hits per game last season, while the Canucks accounted for 21.3 hits per contest.
