In a game between two squads that are squarely in the playoff picture, the St. Louis Blues and the Toronto Maple Leafs meet at Air Canada Centre in an East-West matchup. Fox Sports Midwest will showcase the game, and the action gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 16.
St. Louis Blues at Toronto Maple Leafs Odds
St. Louis (+125) is playing the role of underdog to Toronto (-145) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -110 for the over and -110 on the under.
St. Louis is 26-20 straight up (SU) and has netted 0.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 46 regular season matches, 27 of its games have gone under the total, while 19 have gone over and none have pushed. The Blue Notes are 11-11 SU on the road in 2017-18.
St. Louis has converted on just 15.0 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that places them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. Additionally, its penalty kill is ranked 15th in the league, and it has successfully killed off 81.4 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Blue Notes have been whistled for penalties just 3.5 times per game overall in the 2017-18 season, 3.2 per game over its last five outings total, and 3.8 per game over its last five games as the visiting team. The teams had to stave off opponent power plays just 8.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
With a .908 save percentage and 25.7 saves per game, Jake Allen (18-17-2) has been the top option in goal for St. Louis this season. If it decides to give him a rest, however, head coach Mike Yeo may turn to Carter Hutton (9-7-1 record, .940 save percentage, 1.84 goals against average).
The visiting Blues have relied on Vladimir Tarasenko and Brayden Schenn this season. Tarasenko (44 points) has tallied 19 goals and 25 assists, and has recorded two or more points 12 times. Schenn has 17 goals and 27 assists to his name (and has registered a point in 26 games).
Toronto is 25-20 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.4 units for moneyline bettors thus far. 22 of its contests have gone over the total, while 20 have gone under and just three have pushed. It’s 13-8 SU at home this year.
The Maple Leafs have converted on just 20.9 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked sixth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.8 percent of all penalties.
Toronto players have been sent to the penalty box only 3.7 times per game in total this season, 3.4 per game over their past five match ups total, and 3.4 per game over their last five home outings. The teams had to stave off opponent power plays just 8.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Frederik Andersen (31.4 saves per game) has been the top netminder in goal for the Maple Leafs. Andersen has 22 wins, 15 losses, and two OT losses to his credit and has maintained a mediocre 2.69 goals against average and a .921 save percentage this year.
Auston Matthews (19 goals, 14 assists) will pace the offensive attack for the Maple Leafs.
St. Louis Blues vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Maple Leafs, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- Two of Toronto’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 2-0 in those games and 4-1 overall in shootouts this year.
- The under has hit in four of Toronto’s last five games.
- Toronto’s attempted 31.2 shots per game overall this season (ranked 19th in the NHL), and 34.6 across their last 10 games.
- Over St. Louis last ten games, four of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 1-3 in those games).
- St. Louis skaters have accounted for the 12th-most hits in the league (21.8 per game).
