The St. Louis Blues (32-15-9) travel to Southern California to take on the Anaheim Ducks (23-26-7) Tuesday for a 10 p.m. ET puck drop at Honda Center. We analyze the Blues-Ducks odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.
Blues at Ducks: Projected starting goalies
Jordan Binnington vs. John Gibson
Binnington owns a 2.66 goals against average and .910 save percentage. He allowed three goals on 24 shots against the Ducks Nov. 16. Binnington has won just twice in seven since Jan. 11, and he has posted an .870 SV% over that stretch.
Gibson owns a 2.96 GAA and .904 SV% through 41 games. The 26-year-old has been solid at home (2.62 GAA, .913 SV%), and he’s logged a couple nice starts against the Blues (.931 SV%). Gibson has registered a .892 SV% in five games since the All-Star break. He’s well-rested, with his last start being last Thursday.
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Blues at Ducks: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated Tuesday at 10:45 a.m. ET.
Prediction
St. Louis 3, Anaheim 1
Moneyline (ML)
Overall this season, the Blues have been a bit puck-lucky with goal-scoring outpacing support numbers. That’s not the case of late, however. The last nine games for St. Louis have resulted in a 2-5-2 record, with puck-possession and shot-value indicators remaining much the same as they had been over a 12-2-1 surge prior. Over those nine games, the Blues have logged a 7.8% shooting mark and a .871 SV%.
A tip of the cap, though, as the Blues’ (-162) moneyline price would indicate a realistic appraisal by the market. PASS on the ML.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The BLUES (-1.5, +170) are the better play of the two sides. That’s a borderline low-confidence play, although a price closer to +180 would more strongly encourage a play. The two-goal cushion also works against what I view as the top play on this game — the total.
Over/Under (O/U)
Projecting Binnington to bounce back and reckoning both offenses as being a bit over-valued make for the UNDER 5.5 (-115) being a profitable play in this one. The Ducks’ penalty-killing unit was roughed up in a four-game road trip that concluded their last time out. Anaheim’s PK is sub-par overall, but the Blues draw penalties at a below-average rate. The public has been moving the way of the Under for this game. Waiting too long may cut into profitability with a higher cost.
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