Two of the least-penalized clubs in the NHL, the Arizona Coyotes and the St. Louis Blues collide at the Scottrade Center in a Western Conference tilt. The opening face-off is at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 9, and fans at home can see it live on Fox Sports Arizona.
Arizona Coyotes at St. Louis Blues Odds
St. Louis (-240) is currently favored over Arizona (+200) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals (-120 to bet the over, +100 for the under).
Netting 7.8 units for moneyline bettors, the Blues are 12-4 straight up (SU) overall this year. That winning percentage, ranked first in the league so far this season, is a solid improvement compared to how the team performed during last year’s regular season (46-36). Through 16 regular season contests, eight of its games have gone over the total, while an additional eight have gone under and none have pushed. Thus far, the team’s 6-1 SU at home.
St. Louis has converted on 16.7 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 22nd overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.6 percent of all penalties.
St. Louis, as a collective unit, has been called for penalties just 3.8 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over its last five home outings. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 6.6 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, in total.
Averaging 27.7 saves per game with a .921 save percentage, Jake Allen (9-4-1) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Blues this season. If they choose to give him a rest, however, head coach Mike Yeo might turn to the undefeated Carter Hutton (3-0 record, .950 save percentage, 1.67 goals against average).
Jaden Schwartz and Vladimir Tarasenko will each spearhead the attack for the Blues. Schwartz (21 points) has tallied nine goals and 12 assists and has recorded two or more points six times this year. Tarasenko has eight goals and 11 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 11 contests.
On the other side of the rink, Arizona is 2-15 straight up (SU) and has lost 13.4 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 17 regular season matches, 11 of its games have gone over the total, while five have gone under and just one has pushed. As the road team, Arizona is 1-9 SU so far.
Arizona has converted on just 14.5 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s ranked 26th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 28th overall and it’s successfully defended 75.0 percent of all penalties.
Arizona’s skaters have been penalized only 3.3 times per game this season, 3.8 per game over their past five match ups total, and 3.8 per game over their last five on the road. The team has had to kill penalties just 7.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
The winless Louis Domingue (.856 save percentage and 4.33 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Arizona. Domingue is averaging 23.7 saves per game and has zero wins and seven losses to his credit.
Clayton Keller (11 goals, six assists) will lead the attack for the visiting Coyotes.
Arizona Coyotes vs. St. Louis Blues Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Blues, O/U – Under
Betting Trends:
- The under has hit in three of St. Louis’ last five outings.
- Power plays and penalty kills may have a critical role tonight. The Coyotes are 1-8 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 2-11 in games where they’re in the box for fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Blues are 4-2 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 8-3 in games where their penalty minutes are in the single digits.
- St. Louis is ranked 14th overall this season with 7.9 takeaways per game. That figure has trended upward lately, as it has averaged 10.0 takeaways over its last 10 games and 10.4 takeaways over its last five.
- Arizona is ranked 32nd in the league with 5.1 takeaways per game. That figure has trended down recently, however, as it’s created 4.5 takeaways over its last 10 games and 4.0 takeaways over its last five.
- St. Louis might have an advantage if this one comes down to the wire. The team’s 4-2 in games decided by one goal, while Arizona is 2-6 in such games.
