Senators vs. Blues Prediction: NHL Betting Odds
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Andrew Rogers
Even though the Blues haven’t even reached the All-Star Break yet, the level of urgency is growing as they carry a two-game losing skid into the weekend and sit five points out of the second Western Conference wild-card spot. Ottawa is already looking to next year as it finds itself 15 points out of a postseason spot.
Senators vs Blues Betting Analysis
St. Louis is an overwhelming favourite for Saturday despite struggling mightily when playing the final game of a four-in-six situation. The Blues have won just five of their previous 23 games in that situation, and could be in tough to improve on that record against a Senators side that comes in having won four of five. The road team has been absolutely dominant in the head-to-head series between Ottawa and St. Louis, having won eight of nine.
Oddsmakers are expecting goals a-plenty in this one, with the total set at 6.5. That has everything to do with the fact that the teams rank 21st and 31st, respectively, in goals against per game. But this could be a major value spot for under bettors, with the Senators going below the number in four consecutive road games and the Blues having gone 6-1 to the under in their last seven overall. The teams are also 14-6-4 O/U in their previous 24 meetings.
Ottawa Senators
The good times are starting to roll in the Canadian capital, with the Senators having allowed one or fewer goals in three of their previous five games. Netminder Anders Nilsson has emerged as the guy for Ottawa, boasting a 2.14 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage for the month after putting up a 3.41 GAA and an .885 SV% in December. Next on the agenda: improving a penalty kill that ranks 22nd in the league in efficiency this month at 76.2 percent.
St. Louis Blues
The Sens’ wonky shorthanded play could receive a much-needed boost against a Blues side that has scored just four times in 28 power-play opportunities this month. It speaks to a larger problem in St. Louis: Specifically, that the offensive attack is a three-man show, with Ryan O’Reilly, Vladimir Tarasenko and David Perron accounting for 49 of the team’s 128 goals to date. Alex Steen has been one of the biggest disappointments with just six goals in 32 games.
