The Wells Fargo Center plays host to an East-West clash as the St. Louis Blues visit the City of Brotherly Love to take on the Philadelphia Flyers. It’s the last time that the two clubs will meet in the regular season. Sportsnet will broadcast the action, which gets underway at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 6.
St. Louis Blues vs. Philadelphia Flyers Odds
St. Louis is 26-17 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 4.5 units this year. Through 43 regular season contests, 27 of its games have gone under the total, while 16 have gone over and none have pushed. This 2017-18 Blues team is 11-9 SU on the road.
St. Louis has converted on just 14.9 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s ranked 30th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 11th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.3 percent of its penalties.
The Blue Notes, as a collective unit, have been sent to the penalty box just 3.5 times per game this season, and 4.2 per game over its last five road outings. The team’s been forced to kill penalties 8.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 25.7 saves per game with a .913 save percentage, Jake Allen (18-15-2) has been the top option in goal for St. Louis this year. If head coach Mike Yeo chooses to rest him, however, the team may roll with Carter Hutton (9-5 record, .947 save percentage, 1.64 goals against average).
The visiting Blues have relied heavily on Brayden Schenn and Vladimir Tarasenko this year. Schenn has 42 points via 17 goals and 25 assists, and has recorded two or more points 10 times. Tarasenko has 17 goals and 22 assists to his credit (and has logged a point in 25 games).
On the other side of the ice, Philadelphia is 17-23 straight up (SU) and has lost 8.4 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 40 regular season outings, 21 of its games have gone over the total, while 17 have gone under and just two have pushed. It’s 9-12 SU at home this season.
The Flyers have converted on just 20.4 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 30th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 75.2 percent of all opponent power plays.
Flyers players have been called for penalties only 3.7 times per game in total this season, 4.2 per game over their past five contests total, and 3.6 per game over their last five at home. The team’s been forced to kill penalties 11.6 minutes per game over their last five home outings.
Brian Elliott has stopped 26.9 shots per game as the top selection in goal for the Flyers. Elliott has 15 wins, 18 losses, and seven overtime losses to his credit and has registered a subpar .910 save percentage and 2.73 goals against average this season.
Jakub Voracek (eight goals, 40 assists) and Claude Giroux (13 goals, 35 assists) will lead the attack for the home team.
St. Louis Blues at Philadelphia Flyers Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Blues, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
St. Louis is averaging 2.7 goals per game in their last three games (the team’s a perfect 3-0 SU over that span)
The Blues are 13-7 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 18-11 in games where they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 minutes, total.
Philadelphia is 0-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while St. Louis is 3-0 in shootouts.
St. Louis could have an advantage if this one comes down to the wire. The team’s 11-7 in games decided by one goal, while Philadelphia is only 5-13 in such games.
Philadelphia is ranked 17th this season with 9.7 giveaways per game. That figure has improved, however, as it’s averaged 8.7 giveaways over its last 10 games and 8.8 giveaways over its last five.
One of the top teams at valuing the puck, St. Louis is ranked second this season with just 5.5 giveaways per game. That figure’s trended higher, as it’s averaged 7.4 giveaways over its last 10 games and 7.4 giveaways over its last five.
St. Louis skaters have accounted for the league’s 12th-most hits per game (22.1), but that number’s down to just 18.0 hits over their last five away games.
