Blues vs. Coyotes Odds, Pick, Preview: Value on Arizona as Home Dog (October 18)
Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images. Pictured: Andrew Ladd.
- Arizona and St. Louis meet for the first time this season on Monday night.
- The Coyotes are in search of their first win, while the Blues are a perfect 1-0.
- Pat Pickens breaks down the game and give his top pick below.
Blues vs. Coyotes Odds
| Blues Odds | -175 |
| Coyotes Odds | +145 |
| Over/Under | 5.5 |
| Time | 10 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
| Odds via DraftKings. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
The Coyotes well get to show off those incredible Kachina home uniforms for the first time in 2021-22 when they play their home opener against the Blues in what expects to be their final season at Gila River Arena on Monday.
The Blues are coming off a convincing 5-3 victory over the Cup-favorite Colorado Avalanche on Saturday and are looking to start 2-0 for the first time since 2017-18.
Blues Opened Season in Style
The Blues looked sharp in their season opener, building a 3-0 advantage and hanging on for dear life. St. Louis was outshot 27-17 by the Avalanche over the final two periods and scored three goals on its first 14 shots.
Still, the Blues allowed 10 high-danger chances and finished with a 37.86 expected-goals percentage at 5-on-5. Score effects may have come into play, since the Blues were sitting back with the big lead, and part of the onslaught was certainly the Avalanche's high-octane offense, but the underlying numbers from the Blues' opener don't look good.
Coyotes Looking for First Win
The Coyotes' 0-1-1 start looks like something of a mirage, since they were blown out in Columbus before falling in a shootout on Saturday night in Buffalo. The Coyotes are seventh in the NHL in 5-on-5 high-danger chance percentage (60 percent) and have the eighth-best 5-on-5 expected goals percentage (55.97).
Unfortunately, Arizona's .848 team save percentage is second worst in the NHL through two games, though surrendering eight goals on 26 shots in its season opener against the Blue Jackets will do a number on any team's save percentage.
Blues vs. Coyotes Pick
The Coyotes actually went 5-2-1 against the Blues last season, including four wins in their memorable stretch where the teams played in seven consecutive games. Arizona went 2-1-1 in the teams' four games in Glendale, including the last two of the season series.
For some reason, sweeping the Colorado-Arizona series is really hard for road teams, and the Coyotes have played better than the standings and goal differential would indicate. Add to the fact Arizona should feel comfortable back home — despite the inevitable legion of Blues fans who will be in the house — and I like the home team, especially given the plus-money odds.
Pick: Arizona ML (+145)
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