Possibly the two strongest clubs in the NHL, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the St. Louis Blues take the ice at the Scottrade Center for an East-West matchup. NBC Sports Network will showcase the matchup, and the opening face-off is at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 12.
Tampa Bay Lightning at St. Louis Blues Odds
Tampa Bay (-105) is currently the underdog to Tampa Bay (-115) and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-110 for the over, -110 for the under).
The Blues are 21-10 straight up (SU) and have netted 7.3 units for moneyline bettors this season. That win percentage, ranked second in the NHL so far this season, is an improvement compared to how the team performed during the 2016-17 season (46-36). Out of its 31 regular season outings, 16 of them have gone under the total, while 15 have gone over and none have pushed. The teams 11-5 SU at home this season.
St. Louis has converted on just 16.8 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s ranked 26th overall in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 23rd overall, and it’s successfully killed off 78.9 percent of all penalties.
St. Louis, as a collective unit, has been penalized just 3.5 times per game overall this season, 3.0 per game over its past five games total, and 3.8 per game over its last five home outings. The teams had to defend opposition power plays for just 7.0 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, overall.
Averaging 25.3 saves per game with a .913 save percentage, Jake Allen (17 wins, nine losses, and two OT losses) has been the best option in goal for the Blues this season. If head coach Mike Yeo decides to give him a breather, however, the Blue Notes may go with Carter Hutton (5-3-3 record, .937 save percentage, 1.88 goals against average).
The Blue Notes will continue to rely on leadership out of Brayden Schenn and Jaden Schwartz. Schenn (37 points) has put up 16 goals and 21 assists and has recorded multiple points 10 times this year. Schwartz has 14 goals and 21 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 20 contests.
On the other bench, Tampa Bay is 21-8 straight up (SU) and has earned 10.2 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 29 regular season outings, 18 of its games have gone over the total, while 11 have gone under and none have pushed. Tampa Bay’s 8-5 SU as the visiting team this season.
Tampa Bay currently touts the first-best power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s converted on 28.4 percent of its extra-man opportunities in 2017-18. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked seventh overall and it’s successfully killed off 82.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
Tampa Bay’s skaters have been called for penalties 3.8 times per game in total this season, and 2.6 per game over their past five match ups. The teams had to kill penalties just 6.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Andrei Vasilevskiy (30.0 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Tampa Bay. Vasilevskiy owns a 19-5-1 record, while registering a .930 save percentage and 2.24 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Lightning, the offense will run through Steven Stamkos (12 goals, 30 assists) and Nikita Kucherov (20 goals, 21 assists).
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. St. Louis Blues Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Blues, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- St. Louis is 2-0 in games decided by a shootout this season while Tampa Bay is 1-1 in shootouts.
- The total has gone under in three of St. Louis last five outings.
- Tampa Bay has managed 29.0 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while St. Louis has been attempting 38.2 shots per game over its last five home outings.
- St. Louis has allowed 2.5 goals per game overall this season, but is allowing just 1.5 per contest over its four-game win streak.
- Six of St. Louis last ten games have been decided by two or more goals. The club is 4-2 overall in those games.
- The Blues this season have registered the seventh-most hits per game (23.6).
