The struggling Chicago Blackhawks might not have anything left to play for seeing as how they’ve been eliminated from the playoffs, but they’ll be playing for pride when they host the red-hot St. Louis Blues on Wednesday night in a contest that looks like a major mismatch just waiting to happen. Now, let’s find out if Chicago can get the big upset or whether the Blues are the pick to win and cash in on the road.
Blackhawks vs Blues NHL Lines, Game Preview & Analysis
If it ain’t broke… https://t.co/XAVE8LFyZP #stlblues
— x – St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) April 3, 2019
- When: Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at 8:00 PM ET
- Where: United Center, Chicago, IL
- TV: NBCS
- Stream: NHL.tv
- Opening NHL Odds: Chicago +123 / St. Louis -148 (total 5.5)
Why Bet On St. Louis?
The Blues have won two straight and six of their last seven games overall including a hard-fought 3-2 shootout win over Columbus on Monday. Jaden Schwartz scored in the first period and Vladimir Tarasenko put St. Louis up 2-0 in the second period while Ryan O’Reilly scored the only goal in the shootout to lift the Blues to the win.
25-year-old rookie goalie Jordan Binnington has been been phenomenal in winning the NHL Rookie of the Month honors for both February and March.
“I’ve been fortunate to play a lot of games here in the final stretch of the season,” Binnington said. “I’m happy with the team and this organization. He’s (Jake Allen) a talented guy over there. He’s a pretty special goaltender.”
The Blues have gone 28-10-4 surge since the start of the new calendar year, including 11 straight wins from Jan. 23 through Feb. 19. St. Louis averages 3.0 goals per game to rank 17th in scoring, but the Blues have been elite at the defensive end of the ice in limiting the opposition to just 2.7 goals per game to rank sixth in goals allowed.
“It’s been a great run,” Tarasenko said. “I’m really proud of everyone.”
Team Statistics
Offense- Goals: 2.96
- Shots: 31.53
- PP/PK Percentage: 20.18
- Goals: 2.71
- Shots: 28.52
- PP/PK Percentage: 18.30
Why Bet On Chicago?
Chicago has lost two straight and six of their last eight games overall, including a heartbreaking 4-3 overtime loss to Winnipeg on Monday. Jonathan Toews lit the lamp for the Blackhawks while Dylan Strome scored a pair of goals to force overtime. Unfortunately, Chicago came up just short against the championship-hopeful Jets.
“We’re working hard every day. … There hasn’t been a game where we’ve felt terribly about ourselves and we’re right in every game,” said the 22-year-old Strome.
Chicago has been outstanding in averaging 3.2 goals per game to rank eighth in scoring but the Blackhawks have been abysmal defensively in allowing 3.6 goals per contest to rank 30th in goals allowed.
Team Statistics
Offense- Goals: 3.27
- Shots: 32.48
- PP/PK Percentage: 20.60
- Goals: 3.58
- Shots: 34.49
- PP/PK Percentage: 26.34
Blackhawks vs Blues NHL Betting Trends
- St. Louis is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
- St. Louis is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
- St. Louis is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
- Chicago is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Chicago’s last 9 games
- Chicago is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games at home
Expert Analysis and Prediction
There’s not a lot of sense in beating around the bush with my pick on this contest since St. Louis is clearly the better and hotter team in this one, not to mention they’re preparing for the playoffs and want to hit the postseason with some confidence-boosting momentum. St. Louis is 6-1 in their last 7 games overall and 4-1 in their last 5 games against a team with a losing record while Chicago has gone 2-6 in their last 8 games overall and 7-19 in their last 26 games as a home underdog. Despite being on the road, the Blues are the easy pick in this one!
Pick: St. Louis 4 Chicago 3
