St. Louis Blues at Chicago Blackhawks odds, picks and predictions
The St. Louis Blues (10-8-1) and Chicago Blackhawks (6-12-0) tangle in a Sunday matinee at the United Center. The opening faceoff in the Central Division tussle is slated for 2 p.m. ET (NHL Network). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Blues vs. Blackhawksodds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Blues are coming off an 8-3 home loss to the Nashville Predators Friday. Continuing with a trend of defensive struggles, St. Louis coughed up 6 goals over the 1st 26 minutes of that contest. Over their last 5 tilts, the Blues have allowed 4.80 goals per game.
The Blackhawks snapped a 5-game losing streak with a hard-fought 4-3 overtime win over the Toronto Maple Leafs Friday. The Hawks rallied from a 3-1 deficit in that win on home ice, just their 2nd in 7 tries this season.
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Blues at Blackhawks odds
BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 10:03 p.m. ET.
Blues at Blackhawks projected goalies
Jordan Binnington (5-5-1, 2.96 GAA, .906 SV%) vs. vs. Petr Mrazek (4-6-0, 3.24 GAA, .904 SV%)
Binnington relieved starter Joel Hofer Friday vs. Nashville. He allowed 4 goals in 37 minutes and owns a lackluster .781 SV% over his last 125 minutes. The 30-year-old has allowed at least 4G in 4 of his last 6 road starts.
Mrazek was on a roll early this season but has scuffled a bit of late. His troubles came to a head in his last outing, Wednesday vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets, when he allowed 5G on 18 shots. Mrazek owns an .831 SV% over his last 149 minutes.
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Blues at Blackhawks picks and predictions
Prediction
Blues 4, Blackhawks 2
St. Louis is 6-3-0 on 1-day rest. They are a big team taking on a Chicago club which is one of the smallest teams in the league. This Hawks group -- one that has not been good against other big-body groups -- is coming off a very physical game against the Leafs Friday.
The Blues have been improving of late at both ends when it comes to high-danger chances, creating and preventing them. Youthful Chicago has been allowing way too many such chances of late.
BACK THE BLUES (-140).
Mrazek faced these Blues once last season and yielded 4 goals. The price on getting the Blues by with a cushion is fair. The Blackhawks have been pesky in hanging with opponents, but going a half-unit in with both this play and the above ML may be a nice way for some bettors to hedge on a pro-Blues lean.
TAKE ST. LOUIS -1.5 (+165).
Neither side is too far off its expected offensive production, and recent goalie performances make for plenty of gray area.
