The Las Vegas Golden Knights will look to sweep their short two-game series, as they take on the St. Louis Blues at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis for the second consecutive night.
The Blues come into this game overworked and in the midst of a lengthy home losing streak. However, all things must come to an end and I see tonight as an opportunity the Blues desperately need to pounce on.
Golden Knights vs Blues Betting Odds and Time
Start Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
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Moneyline: VGK: -115 | STL: -105
Spread: VGK: -1.5 (+205) | STL: +1.5 (-245)
Total: 5.5 – Over: (-130) | Under: (+110)
St. Louis Blues Astonishing Home Struggles
The reason I called the Blues overworked is because they just returned home from a six-game road trip spanning all the way back to February 25th. In addition to that, and even more importantly, is the fact the Blues have been involved in four consecutive OT games, against three different teams!
They have also lost three of those consecutive four OT games. Some might chalk it up to the fact that three of those four games were on the road, and though that may be a legit reason for most teams, it is not for St. Louis, as the road is where the Blues have been comfortable this season.
Things have not gone well at home. Through 13 games on the season, the Blues are a bleak 4-6-3 in their own barn. That record becomes even more confusing when you toss in the little tid-bit that is their away record, at a league leading 10-2-2.
Only four other teams have even nine wins on the road this season, and three of them come from the Discover NHL Central Division, which is arguably the weakest of the four divisions.
Blues Need This Home Win
The Blues absolutely need this win on home ice tonight. The Golden Knights are not exactly your classic “get right” opponent, but I think they provide an opportunity tonight.
The Blues have won just one game in St. Louis since the beginning of February, which was a 3-2 OT victory over the San Jose Sharks (in a game they got outshot by 15) back on Feb. 18th. They own a 1-7 overall home record within that same time frame.
So, now that I’ve laid out an entire article telling you how horrible the Blues are at home, I bet you’re wondering why in the world I’m telling you to bet on them tonight.
Well, I’ll let you in on my thought process. Though the Golden Knights are a very good team and are capable of getting up for the occasion on a nightly basis, they are finishing up a road trip of their own. This will be their sixth road game in just nine days, and they have lost two of the last three. They don’t need this game in the same way the Blues do.
My only hesitation is that the Golden Knights are a perfect 3-0 on the second night of a back-to-back, opposed to the Blues slightly less impressive 3-2.
Making a Case For the Over
You could easily argue for both teams in this game when trying to predict the winner, but when it comes to the total, there is only one way to go.
You MUST play the over in this game.
One important thing I could have mentioned off the bat is that neither team is slated to have a starting goaltender in net tonight.
The Blues will be starting Ville Husso, who has played in nine games this season, and has admittedly played well. However, the Golden Knights are in the top ten for average SOG, which can be a tall task for any goaltender.
The Knights, on the other hand, will be starting Logan Thompson, a 24-year-old goaltender with absolutely no NHL experience. He has played a total of eight minutes this season, making two saves along the way.
The cherry on top is that both Golden Knights vs Blues games this season ended in a 5-4 final score and averaged 67 combined shots per game. This trend should smash the 5.5 total.
Golden Knights vs Blues Game Preview
Expect much of the same from these two teams. Long road trips and dead legs only play into what we are looking for. Both goalies will be the freshest players on the ice, but will no doubt be peppered tonight. Barring an incredible performance out of one of them, many shots should lead to many goals, and hopefully a Blues victory to boot.
Golden Knights vs Blues Prediction and Best Bet
I’ve got the Blues winning this game. If you’re not convinced but are still looking for action, I really do not think you can go wrong with the over here. You’ve got to lay a bit at -130, but I think this is a bet that could cash well before the puck drops on the third period.
Golden Knights vs Blues Picks
Golden Knights vs Blues Game Total 05.5 (-130)
Blues ML (-105)
Parlay – Blues ML / Over (+245)
