A pair of teams that each played last night, the Carolina Hurricanes and the St. Louis Blues clash at the Scottrade Center in an East-West showdown. The matchup will get underway at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 30, and you will be able to catch it live on Fox Sports Midwest.
Carolina Hurricanes at St. Louis Blues Odds
Earning moneyline bettors 2.5 units, St. Louis is 23-17 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That winning percentage, ranked 2nd in the Central Division in this young season, hasn’t moved much from the 46-36 record the team posted during the 2016-17 season campaign. Through 40 regular season contests, 24 of its games have gone under the total, while 15 have gone over and none have pushed. This season, the team’s 12-8 SU at home.
The Blues have converted on just 15.7 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s ranked 27th overall in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 13th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.4 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Blues have been penalized just 3.6 times per game overall this season, and 4.4 per game over their last five contests. The team has been forced to kill penalties for 9.0 minutes per game over their last five home outings.
Averaging 25.7 saves per game with a .913 save percentage, Jake Allen (18 wins, 15 losses, and two OT losses) has been the best option in goal for the Blue Notes this year. Allen did just play last night, however, so head coach Mike Yeo may opt to give him a rest and turn to Carter Hutton instead (6-5-5 record, .949 save percentage, 1.64 goals against average).
The Blue Notes will continue to look for offensive production out of Brayden Schenn and Vladimir Tarasenko. Schenn (40 points) has tallied 17 goals and 23 assists and has recorded multiple points in 10 different games this year. Tarasenko has 16 goals and 21 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 22 games.
Carolina is 18-19 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.4 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 37 regular season matches, 17 of its games have gone over the total, while another 17 have gone under and just two have pushed. As the visiting team so far, the Hurricanes are 8-12 SU.
The Hurricanes have converted on just 15.7 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s ranked 27th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 25th overall and it’s successfully defended 78.3 percent of all opponent power plays.
Carolina’s skaters have been penalized only 2.8 times per game this season, 2.8 per game over their past five match ups total, and 3.2 per game over their last five games as the visiting team. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 5.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Scott Darling (24.5 saves per game) has been the main choice in goal for Carolina. Darling has eight wins, 16 losses, and six overtime losses to his credit, and has registered a .896 save percentage and 2.87 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Hurricanes, the offense will be facilitated through Teuvo Teravainen (nine goals, 20 assists) and Sebastian Aho (11 goals, 17 assists).
Carolina Hurricanes at St. Louis Blues Betting Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Blues, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
Carolina (3-3 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. St. Louis, however, emerged victorious in both of its shootouts this year.
The under has hit in each of St. Louis’ last five games.
Two clubs that take a heavy amount of shots on goal, Carolina has registered the league’s third-most shots on goal (34.7) and St. Louis’s attempted the eighth-most (33.4).
Four of Carolina’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 3-1 in those games.
The Blue Notes this season have recorded the 10th-most hits per game (22.6).
