With each team in the NHL having just 4 or 5 games left to play, those open playoff spots in both conferences are going to start filling up rather quickly. With a full slate of games set to go this weekend, do not be surprised to see some teams clinch over the next few days. With that happening, we are also going to see some teams be officially eliminated from playoff contention, which is always tough at this late stage of the season.
In the Western Conference, the St. Louis Blues look like a very good bet to be part of the playoff picture, with one more win likely to be enough to see them in as one of the eight teams to head into conference postseason play. They might well get that win on Friday night, as they will be going up against the New York Rangers, a team long since eliminated from playoff contention. While these are the games that are often the toughest to win, the Blues are favored by 1 ½, with the O/U set at 5 ½.
Blues vs Rangers NHL Betting Lines & Game Preview
The Blues won’t be satisfied with just clinching tonight; their sights are set on even bigger things. https://t.co/C8GH8etl51 #stlblues pic.twitter.com/DTG63xTQax
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) 29 de marzo de 2019
- When: Friday, March 29 at 7 PM EST
- Where: Madison Square Garden, NYC
- TV: NHL Center Ice
- Live Stream: NHL.tv
- NHL Betting Lines: St. Louis Blues -215 (Total 5.5)
Wild vs Golden Knights NHL Odds & Pick for Friday Night
Why bet on the St. Louis Blues?
The Blues are currently sitting in the #3 spot in the Central Division, which would keep them out of the Wild Card, but they have some work to do to stay there, with the Dallas Stars sitting just 2 points back of them. That said, they are also within reach of the two teams currently sitting ahead of them in the division and can potentially make things very interesting with a win here.
That win is certainly not guaranteed here, though, as the Blues already lost 2-1 on home ice to the Rangers earlier this season. The Blues have been solid enough on the road, going 20-12-6 away from home. They are on a 4-game winning streak right now and are 6-2-2 in their last 10 games. They have been a great ATS bet on the road, going 24-14 ATS.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 2.97
- Shots: 31.46
- PP/PK Percentage: 20.44
Defense
- Goals: 2.71
- Shots: 28.62
- PP/PK Percentage: 18.35
Why bet on the New York Rangers?
The Rangers have been a major disappointment this season and are not that far off the pace being set by the worst team in the league. The Rangers have picked up just 71 points through 76 games and are on a run that has seen them go just 2-6-2 in their last 10 games.
While they might look like a bit of a soft touch, it is worth remembering that they have posted a winning record at home, going 17-13-8 at MSG. it’s not an overwhelming record, but one that certainly suggests that they will not be a pushover on home ice. The Rangers did beat St. Louis earlier this season, but that win was a bit of a departure from what they normally deliver versus teams from the West, against whom they are 10-14-5. The Rangers are 23-15 ATS at home.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 2.78
- Shots: 29.29
- PP/PK Percentage: 19.72
Defense
- Goals: 3.37
- Shots: 33.49
- PP/PK Percentage: 22.45
Blues vs Rangers NHL Betting Trends
- St. Louis is 16-8 ATS in its last 24 games on the road
- St. Louis is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games on the road
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of St. Louis’s last 5 games
- NY is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing St. Louis
- NY is 8-15-1 SU in its last 24 games when playing St. Louis
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Rangers’ last 6 games when playing St. Louis
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Blues vs Rangers
While this has all the makings of a potential trip-up game, it’s one that I think the Rangers will overcome easily enough. They have a lot to play for at this late stage of the season, as they will be looking to improve their playoff seeding.
Score: St. Louis Blues 5 – New York Rangers 1
