Two teams facing each other for the third time this season, the Chicago Blackhawks and the St. Louis Blues take the ice at the Enterprise Center for a Central Division showdown. The opening face-off is at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 27, and it can be seen live on WGN Channel 9.
Chicago Blackhawks at St. Louis Blues Odds
St. Louis (-135) is currently the favorite over Chicago (+115) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at an even 6 goals (-105 for the over, -115 for the under).
Chicago is 6-4 straight up (SU) and has earned 2.3 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 10 regular season contests, six of its games have gone over the total, while four have gone under and none have pushed. This 2018-19 Blackhawks team is 3-1 SU on the road.
The Blackhawks have found the net on 11.4 percent of their power play opportunities thus far. That’s a noticeable drop-off from last season, when they were ranked 28th in the league by scoring on 16.0 percent of their extra-man advantages. Their penalty kill has fallen off drastically since last year, as they’ve gone from successfully defending 78.8 percent of opponents’ power plays (ranked 20th overall last season) to 76.7 percent this year.
For the team as a whole, the Hawks have been penalized just 3.4 times per game this season. Last year, that number was the fifth-lowest mark in the league at 3.3 penalties per game. After serving an average of 7.5 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team has had to stave off opponent power plays for 7.1 minutes per outing this year.
Averaging 33.5 saves per game with a .885 save percentage, Cam Ward (3-3-2) has been the primary option in goal for Chicago this year. If Chicago decides to rest him, however, they might roll with Corey Crawford (3-1), who has a .946 save percentage and 1.52 goals against average this year.
Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat will both be relied on to facilitate things for the visiting Blackhawks. Kane has 14 points on nine goals and five assists, and has recorded two or more points four times. DeBrincat has eight goals and six assists to his nameand has registered a point in eight games.
St. Louis is 2-7 straight up (SU) and has already lost 6.7 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through nine regular season matches, five of its games have gone over the total, while three have gone under and just one has pushed. So far this year, the team’s 1-4 SU as the home team.
The Blues have scored on 28.2 percent of their extra-man advantages this year after converting on 15.4 percent (ranked 30th in league) last season. They have killed off an impressive 78.1 percent of their penalties, compared to 79.6 percent a year ago (when they were ranked 17th overall).
St. Louis players have been sent to the penalty box 4.0 times per game this season. Last year, that number was at 3.3, the third-lowest mark in the NHL. After serving an average of 7.7 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team has had to stave off opponent power plays for 8.3 minutes per contest this year.
Jake Allen has stopped 26.5 shots per game as the top choice in goal for the Blues. Allen has two wins, six losses, and three OT losses to his name and has registered a pedestrian 3.93 goals against average and a poor .876 save percentage this season.
The Blue Notes offense will be led by Ryan O’Reilly (two goals, nine assists).
Chicago Blackhawks at St. Louis Blues Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Blues, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes
The total has gone under in three of St. Louis’ last five games.
After averaging the second-most shots in the league last season (34.1 per game), Chicago has attempted 35.5 shots per game overall this season, and 32.3 in its last five road games.
Chicago skaters recorded 16.8 hits per game last season, while the Blue Notes logged 23.1 hits per matchup.
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