The Scottrade Center is the site for an East-West matchup as the St. Louis Blues take on the visiting New Jersey Devils. It’s the last time that the two clubs will meet in the regular season. The opening face-off is at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 2, and fans at home can witness it live on MSG Plus 2.
New Jersey Devils at St. Louis Blues Odds
St. Louis (-155) is currently favored over New Jersey (+135), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals. The odds for betting the total sit at -140 for the under and +120 for the over.
St. Louis is 24-17 straight up (SU) and has earned 2.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked second in the Central Division so far in the early season, hasn’t moved much from what the team posted during the 2016-17 season (46-36). Of the team’s 41 regular season contests, 25 have gone under the total, while 16 have gone over and none have pushed. The team is 13-8 SU at home this year.
The Blues have converted on just 15.5 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that places them in the bottom-5 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 10th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.7 percent of all penalties.
As a team, the Blues have been penalized just 3.6 times per game overall this season, 3.6 per game over their last five games total, and 3.4 per game over their last five home outings. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for just 7.8 minutes per game over their last five home outings.
Boasting a .913 save percentage and 25.7 saves per game, Jake Allen (18-15-2) has been the best option in goal for St. Louis this season. If the Blue Notes, however, choose to give him a breather, the team could go with Carter Hutton (7-5-5 record, .946 save percentage, 1.68 goals against average).
Brayden Schenn and Vladimir Tarasenko will both lead the charge for the Blues. Schenn (41 points) has put up 17 goals and 24 assists and has recorded multiple points on 10 different occasions this year. Tarasenko has 16 goals and 22 assists to his name and has notched at least one point in 23 contests.
Over on the other bench, New Jersey is 22-16 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 9.2 units this year. A total of 21 of its games have gone over the total, while 16 have gone under and just one has pushed. The Devils are 10-8 SU as the road team this season.
The Devils have converted on 21.1 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked eighth overall and it’s successfully killed off 83.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
New Jersey’s skaters have been called for penalties 4.0 times per game this season, and 3.2 per game over their last five on the road. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 6.8 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
Cory Schneider (2.59 goals against average and .920 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for New Jersey. Schneider is averaging 29.5 saves per game and has 18 wins, 12 losses, and five overtime losses to his credit.
For the visiting Devils, the offense will be coordinated by Taylor Hall, who has 24 assists and 12 goals this season.
New Jersey Devils vs. St. Louis Blues Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Blues, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
Six of St. Louis’ last ten contests have been decided by two or more goals. The team is 2-4 overall in those games.
Penalties and power plays may have a critical role tonight. The Devils are 6-6 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 9-11 in games where they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 minutes, total. The Blues are 11-7 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 16-11 when their penalty minutes are in the single digits.
New Jersey (3-2 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. St. Louis, on the other hand,is undefeated in two shootouts this year.
The under has hit in four of St. Louis’ last five outings.
St. Louis is ranked 1st this season with just 5.4 giveaways per game. That figure has regressed lately, as the team’s averaged 6.5 giveaways over its last 10 games and 6.6 giveaways over its last five.
New Jersey has averaged 7.4 giveaways over its last five home games, its season average of 7.7 giveaways per game (the sixth-fewest in the NHL).
The Blues this season have registered the 12th-most hits in the league (22.3 per game).
