Nashville Predators vs. St. Louis Blues Prediction, Preview, and Odds – 2-17-2024 – Stat Salt
The Nashville Predators (27-25-2) were once looked at as prime candidates for a Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, but with recent momentum going against them, this game now presents the perfect opportunity to not only pick up two key points in the playoff race but take them away from a divisional rival that they so happen to be chasing.
That team would be the St. Louis Blues (29-22-2), who find themselves in a prime position to make a shock playoff push in 2023-24, and with plenty of momentum behind them, if they can continue to improve ahead of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, this team might be a dark-horse to do some damage in the Western Conference.
Can the Predators get back in the playoff race?
Behind another solid year from Juuse Saros, the Nashville Predators appeared ready to make a big playoff push in 2023-24, but with losses in eight of their past 11 overall games, they find themselves at 27-25-2 on the season, good for sixth place in the Central Division and now four points out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. On the road this year, the Predators have posted respectable 13-10-2 mark in 25 games played, with losses in four of their past six games played away from home, and with a -17 goal differential, it may be tough for this team to turn this around and make a genuine playoff push.
Leading the way for the Predators this year is the star trio of Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi and Ryan O’Reilly, with all three tallying over 43 points on the season, and as mentioned, Saros has been as solid as ever, notching a 3.05 GAA and a .901 save percentage on the year. Last time out for Nashville was another disappointing loss, with goals to Novak and Smith not enough to keep it anywhere near close as the duo of Saros and Kevin Lankinen allowing nine goals on 41 shots as the Predators were blown out of the water 9-2 by the division rival Dallas Stars.
Can St. Louis extend their lead in the playoff chase?
A few weeks ago, it appeared as though it would be Nashville to pull away in the final Wild Card spot out West, but with wins in eight of their past 10 games, the Blues are now 29-22-2 on the season, giving them 60 points on the year and a four point gap between themselves and the Predators for the eighth and final Wild Card spot. At home this year, St. Louis have been fantastic, posting a 16-9-1 record in 26 games played on home ice, and with their -6 goal differential continuing to improve, if they can continue grinding out close wins, this will be a team to watch down the stretch of the 2023-24 season.
Leading the way for the Blues this season is breakout young star Robert Thomas, who has tallied 19 goals and 60 points in 53 games played, while their goaltending duo have been outstanding, combining for a 3.06 GAA and a .910 save percentage. Last time out for the Blues was a huge win over the Edmonton Oilers, with Thomas and Jake Neighbours both tallying three points each on the night as Jordan Binnington stopped 35 of the 38 shots he saw en route to the dominant 6-3 victory.
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Full-Game Side Bet
Rating:
These two divisional rivals have both been good without being fantastic in recent years, and that has reflected in their head-to-head statistics, as the record sits at an even 5-5 over their past 10 encounters.
In their past four games played in St. Louis however, the Blues have come away with a 3-1 record, and with eight wins in their past 10 games, St. Louis have all the momentum behind them, so expect a big win against a team that has allowed 29 goals in their past six overall games.
Prediction: St. Louis -114
Full-Game Total Pick
Rating:
On paper, a matchup of Jordan Binnington vs. Juuse Saros would be a thrilling one, but with the over sitting at 8-2 in their past 10 head-to-head matchups, it’s clear that when these two teams meet, it’s the offense that often wins the day.
For the Predators, the over is just 3-6-1 in their past 10 overall games, but this team comes off an outing in which they allowed nine goals, with their previous five seeing their goaltender allow four goals per night. For the Blues, the over is 6-4 over that same stretch, with the team scoring four goals per game in those 10 games, with two of their past three games seeing them tally six and seven goals, so expect the best of the offense in this highly anticipated matchup.
Keep it simple, take the over.
Prediction: Over 6
