Two clubs that split their head-to-head series one game each a year ago, the St. Louis Blues and the Detroit Red Wings clash at Little Caesars Arena in an East-versus-West showdown. Sportsnet ONE will air the action, which gets underway at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 9.
St. Louis Blues vs. Detroit Red Wings Odds
St. Louis is 19-10 straight up (SU) and has earned 5.3 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 29 regular season outings, 15 of its games have gone under the total, while 14 have gone over and none have pushed. This 2017-18 Blues team is 9-5 SU on the road.
St. Louis has converted on 17.8 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. Its penalty kill is ranked 22nd out of 31 teams, and the team’s successfully killed off 78.4 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Blue Notes have been sent to the penalty box just 3.5 times per game during the 2017-18 season, 3.4 per game over its past five contests total, and 3.8 per game over its last five on the road. The team has had to kill penalties just 7.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 25.3 saves per game with a .910 save percentage, Jake Allen (15-9-2) has been the best option in goal for St. Louis this season. If head coach Mike Yeo decides to rest him, however, St. Louis may turn to Carter Hutton (5-3 record, .937 save percentage, 1.88 goals against average).
Jaden Schwartz and Brayden Schenn will both be relied on to produce for the visiting Blues. Schwartz (34 points) has tallied 13 goals and 21 assists, and has recorded multiple points 10 times. Schenn has 14 goals and 20 assists to his name (and has registered at least one point in 17 games).
Detroit is 11-17 straight up (SU) and has lost 6.2 units for moneyline bettors thus far. 15 of its matches have gone over the total, while 13 have gone under and none have pushed. This season, the team is 5-9 SU as the home team.
The Red Wings have converted on just 21.3 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 11th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.0 percent of all penalties.
Red Wings players have been sent to the penalty box 4.3 times per game in total this season, and 3.6 per game over their last five home outings. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays just 13.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jimmy Howard (26.0 saves per game) has been the primary netminder in goal for the Red Wings. Howard has nine wins, 14 losses, and four overtime losses to his credit and has registered a .910 save percentage and 2.85 goals against average this year.
The home team offense will be led by Dylan Larkin (four goals, 19 assists).
St. Louis Blues at Detroit Red Wings Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Red Wings, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
Detroit is 2-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while St. Louis is 2-0 in shootouts.
Six of St. Louis’ last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 4-2 in those games.
St. Louis skaters have accounted for the league’s eighth-most hits per game (23.4).
