Toronto Maple Leafs vs. St. Louis Blues Prediction, NHL Odds
The Maple Leafs open a four-game road trip in St. Louis after eking out a 4-3 victory over the visiting New York Rangers on Wednesday night, and have earned the win in two of their past three away contests. The Blues wrap up a three-game home stand riding a three-game win streak and have revived their fading playoff hopes during an impressive 10-2-2 run since returning from the Olympic break including a 4-1-1 record in six home contests.
The Leafs trail as +125 underdogs on Saturday’s NHL odds while the Blues lead the way as -150 favourites, and the total is listed at 6.0.
Maple Leafs vs. Blues NHL Betting Odds
The Maple Leafs claimed a 3-2 victory when they hosted the Blues in their first meeting of the season, back on November 18, snapping a two-game head-to-head slide. Overall, the Leafs have taken six of 10 from the Blues including victories in four of their past five visits to St. Louis. Recent dates between these clubs have been low scoring, with the UNDER going 3-0-2 in their past five. However, four of those contests have still been settled by multi-goal margins. The Leafs have seized their opportunities during their 2-0-0 run, and have scored four goals in consecutive games for the first time since February 3. The club has also benefitted from steady goaltending, which has limited opponents to just five total goals in their past two games after surrendering four goals per game in their previous 14 outings. The Blues have built their late-season resurgence of strong defence, allowing just one total even-strength goal during their current 3-0-0 run, and just 1.64 goals per game during their 10-2-2 run. Accordingly, totals bettors taking the UNDER have been regularly rewarded, cashing tickets in 12 of the Blues’ past 13 games.
Toronto Maple Leafs
After stealing the victory over the Rangers with a 40-save performance on Wednesday night, Joseph Woll is expected to return to the Leafs crease again in front of hometown fans on Saturday night. The St. Louis native has earned just two wins in eight starts this month, but has made 30+ saves in each of his past seven outings while surrendering three of fewer goals five times. John Tavares has started to heat up in the absence of injured captain Auston Matthews. Tavares potted his third goal in four games in Wednesday’s victory and has compiled six points during a four-game points streak and four goals and seven helpers over his past 11 road dates, and offers values as a -166 bet to record at least one point on Saturday. It was a quiet night for Matthew Knies versus New York, but the 26-year-old has also produced on the road, potting four goals and two assists in seven away dates, capped by a two-goal performance in the club’s decisive 4-2 win in Boston on Tuesday.
St. Louis Blues
While the Blues have effectively shut down opposing shooters during their current tear, they have produced limited offence, averaging just 2.79 goals per game over their past 14 outings and scoring 4+ goals just twice over that stretch. The club has managed to generate points despite failing to score in the first period of each of their past seven games. The Blues have also been outshot in five of their past eight outings while averaging just 24.1 shots on goal over that stretch. Jimmy Snuggerud has enjoyed a breakthrough during the club’s resurgence. The rookie forward has potted six goals and added eight assists in 12 games this month including five points in his past four home appearances, and sports short -150 odds on the NHL player props to extend his current points streak to three games on Saturday. Dylan Holloway has also found his groove. The 24-year-old set up a goal and potted the game winner in Thursday’s 2-1 OT win over the Sharks and has racked up 18 poiunts in 14 appearances since the Olympic break.
