Penguins vs Blues Picks, Predictions, and Odds Tonight

Leaky goalkeeping will define this matchup — our NHL picks like two-way action between the Penguins and Blues on Saturday, with neither team ready to stop the other.

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The Pittsburgh Penguins and the St. Louis Blues will both be looking to snap four-game losing streaks when they collide at Enterprise Center on Saturday afternoon.

The Penguins have fallen out of the playoff picture after going pointless in their last four games. Goaltender Tristan Jarry has not provided the spark Pittsburgh was seeking when he returned on Monday.

The Blues exit a 3-2 overtime loss to the Canucks on Thursday night as their miserable year continues. St. Louis remains a prominent part of trade deadline rumors, so keep an eye on the newswire before plunking down your dough on this one. 

Find out my best bet for this tilt in our free NHL picks and predictions for Penguins vs Blues on Saturday, February 25. 

Penguins vs Blues best odds

Penguins vs Blues picks and predictions

Both the Penguins and Blues have suffered from shaky play from their netminders for most of this season, and that trend should continue on Saturday afternoon. The Over looks like a solid wager as a result.

Pittsburgh goalie Tristan Jarry was chased by the Edmonton Oilers in just his second start back from injured reserve on Thursday, as he allowed six goals on 29 shots. Jarry wasn’t lights-out in his first start back against the New York Islanders, as he coughed up three goals on 31 shots. 

It’s possible backup goaltender Casey DeSmith gets the nod against St. Louis ahead of Sunday’s showdown with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but he hasn’t been much better of late, surrendering at least three goals in three of his last four starts.

Jordan Binnington is likely to be between the pipes for the Blues in this spot, and he’s on pace to post career-worsts in both GAA (3.28) and SV% (.894). His 3.30 GAA and .895 SV% in February are nothing to write home about. 

Jarry and Binnington both appear to be in line to face a ton of shots in this one. The Penguins are seventh in shots per game this season (33.4), while the Blues’ defense is 21st in shots allowed per game (32.3). That average has spiked to 36 shots over St. Louis’ last six contests. Pittsburgh has at least 37 shots on goal in six of its last 10 tilts. 

The Blues’ offense is a lackluster 28th in shots for (28.9) this year, but the Pens allow the fourth-most shots on goal per game in the NHL (34.2). Even with Vladimir Tarasenko and Ryan O’Reilly having been shipped out, St. Louis should generate enough of a scoring threat to send this game Over the total.

My best bet: Over 6.5 (-113 at BetRivers)

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Penguins vs Blues moneyline analysis

The Penguins’ moneyline price seems a little steep, but they should be able to snap their four-game losing streak in this spot.

Both clubs exit a one-day layoff, which works to the benefit of Pittsburgh. Sidney Crosby & Co. are 14-9 SU on one day of rest this year, while the Blues are 11-21. St. Louis’ record is even worse off a loss in this scenario at 3-12 SU. 

The Pens are 13-5 in their last 18 games against Western Conference foes, and 38-18 in their last 56 games against teams with losing records, so there’s good reason to believe they’ll handle their business on the road on Saturday afternoon.

Look for Pittsburgh to pot one on the power play, as they’ve done so in three straight games. The Blues are 23rd in the NHL in penalty kill rate this season (75.9%).

The Penguins could jump out to a fast start in this one, as they’re averaging one goal per first period on offense in their last 10 tilts, while St. Louis has scored only three goals in the opening stanza in the same span. 

Penguins vs Blues Over/Under analysis

The trends are strongly in favor of the Over in this one. 

The Over is 3-0-1 in the Penguins’ last four overall, with an average of 7.8 goals per game coming across. Pittsburgh is also 5-1-1 to the Over in its last seven games after scoring two or fewer goals in their previous affair, and 4-1-1 to the Over in its last six games against teams with losing records.

The Over is 38-12-5 in the Blues’ last 55 games against Eastern Conference opponents, 18-7-3 in their last 28 games against teams with losing records, 5-2-1 in their last eight home games, and 31-15-7 in their last 53 overall contests.

Among the NHL player props that intrigue in this one are the anytime goal scorer ones for Evgeni Malkin (+170), Kris Letang (+450), and Jordan Kyrou (+160). 

Malkin leads Pittsburgh in power-play goals and assists, and this unit stands to be productive on Saturday. Letang had a power play marker against the Oilers when last seen, one of two goals he scored on Thursday. 

Kyrou is by far the leading shot-taker for the Blues (191), and in a game that figures to see plenty of open looks, he figures to be busy.

Penguins vs Blues betting trend to know

The favorite has won each of the last five meetings between these two clubs. Find more NHL betting trends for Penguins vs Blues.