A couple of teams that are squarely in the playoff hunt, the Los Angeles Kings and the St. Louis Blues collide at the Scottrade Center in a Western Conference showdown. This one will get started at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, December 1 and it’s being shown live on Fox Sports West.
Los Angeles Kings at St. Louis Blues Odds
Earning moneyline bettors 6.3 units, the Blues are 17-8 straight up (SU) overall in the 2017-18 season. That winning percentage, ranked first in the NHL so far in this young season, is an improvement compared to what the team did during last year’s regular season (46-36). Through 25 regular season contests, 13 of its games have gone over the total, while 12 have gone under and none have pushed. The team is 9-4 SU at home this season.
St. Louis has converted on just 17.2 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that places the team in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 28th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 75.6 percent of all penalties.
As a team, St. Louis has been whistled for penalties just 3.6 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over its last five at home. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 8.3 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, in total.
Averaging 26.4 saves per game with a .907 save percentage, Jake Allen (13-7-1) has been the best goalkeeper for the Blues this season. If they, however, choose to give him the night off, the team could go with Carter Hutton (4-2-2 record, .946 save percentage, 1.59 goals against average).
The Blue Notes will continue to look for offensive production out of Jaden Schwartz and Brayden Schenn. Schwartz (32 points) has tallied 13 goals and 19 assists and has recorded two or more points nine times this year. Schenn has 10 goals and 20 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 16 contests.
On the other bench, Los Angeles is 15-11 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 0.1 units this year. Through 26 regular season outings, 14 of its games have gone under the total, while nine have gone over and just two have pushed. Los Angeles’ 8-4 SU as the away team this season.
Los Angeles has converted on just 17.4 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s ranked 23rd in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked first overall and it’s successfully defended 89.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
Los Angeles’ skaters have been penalized 4.0 times per game this season, 3.6 per game over their past five games total, and 3.4 per game over their last five games as the visiting team. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays just 8.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jonathan Quick (28.6 saves per game) has been the main option in the net for Los Angeles. Quick has 12 wins, nine losses, and one OT loss to his credit, and has registered a .929 save percentage and 2.27 goals against average this year.
Anze Kopitar (12 goals, 16 assists) will lead the offensive attack for the visiting Kings.
Los Angeles Kings at St. Louis Blues Betting Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Blues, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
The over has hit in three of St. Louis’ last five outings.
Los Angeles has managed 32.0 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while St. Louis is averaging 38.0 shots per game over its last five at home.
Penalties and power plays may prove to be critical in tonight’s matchup. The Kings are 5-6 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 10-5 when they’re in the box for fewer than 10 penalty minutes, total. The Blues are 7-4 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 11-5 in games where they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
Los Angeles is 2-0 in games decided by a shootout this season while St. Louis is 2-0 in shootouts.
St. Louis is ranked 9th in the NHL with 8.7 takeaways per game. That figure’s trended upward, as it has averaged 10.2 takeaways over its last 10 games and 10.6 takeaways over its last five.
Los Angeles has scored 3.7 goals per game (while allowing just 1.3) over their three-game winning streak.
Los Angeles has managed 6.8 takeaways per game over its last five road games, an improvement over its season average of 5.1 takeaways per game (ranked 30th overall).
St. Louis could have an advantage if this one comes down to the wire. The team’s 6-3 in games decided by one goal, while Los Angeles is 5-8 in such games.
