The Chicago Blackhawks (1-2-1) and St. Louis Blues (2-1-0) meet in a Central Division duel tonight. Puck drop is set for 9:30 p.m. EDT at Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Mo. The game will be broadcast live on TNT.
The Blues are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 6 (-105 / -115). The Blues are a -240 favorite to win outright, while the Blackhawks are +195 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Blackhawks vs. Blues predictions and NHL picks.
Blackhawks vs. Blues Odds, Pick
| Blackhawks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -135 | 6 -105o / -115u | +195 |
| Blues Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +115 | 6 -105o / -115u | -240 |
- Blackhawks vs. Blues Spread: Blackhawks +1.5 (-135), Blues -1.5 (+115)
- Blackhawks vs. Blues Over/Under: 6 (-105o / -115u)
- Blackhawks vs. Blues Moneyline: Blackhawks +195, Blues -240
Blackhawks vs. Blues Preview
It was a big-time character win for the Blackhawks against the Utah Mammoth on Monday.
Andre Burakovsky showed up with his usual early-season heroics, and now we wait to see if his game falls off a cliff in a month or two.
The two key players I’m watching from Chicago, besides Connor Bedard, are Frank Nazar and Teuvo Teravainen.
Nazar is such a beauty with how he plays. He can dangle through a phone booth while also possessing an innate ability to pinpoint an open teammate. Not only that, I’m so impressed with his shot, and with a full season under his belt I think he can absolutely hit the 20-goal mark.
Teravainen is the more established veteran who can show Nazar the ropes. They’re already paired with each other, along with Tyler Bertuzzi, but they look like they’ve been linemates forever.
Chicago was able to pull off such a steal after nabbing Spencer Knight from the Florida Panthers. Knight’s career has been rocky since entering the league, but the potential was always there, and it’s awesome to see him assuming No. 1 goalie duties.
So far, the former first round draft pick is posting a .920 SV% and is currently the fourth most efficient goaltender with a 4.0 GSAx.
St. Louis, on the other hand, started off its season at home in highly disappointing fashion, dropping to the Wild 5-0, but then managed to bounce back with two wins in Calgary and Vancouver.
So now, the Blues are looking for redemption on their home ice, but the Blackhawks won’t be an easy-out like it used to be.
Jake Neighbours continues to lead the pack with three goals, scoring two in Calgary and another in Vancouver. Neighbours has been incredibly fortunate, as his underlying numbers aren’t fantastic, and he’s scored those three goals on five shots.
As much as I like the player, I don’t foresee that luck continuing.
What I am interested in is rookie Jimmy Snuggerud, who quickly looked like he belonged in the NHL at the end of last season. Now, he’s already posted three points in three games – while firing six shots on Monday against the Canucks.
Even though Jordan Binnington won us money two nights ago, I’m still wary of him. He picks and chooses when he wants to lock in, and for me, that’s a massive red flag when I’m looking to put American currency on him.
It’s just an ugly statline all around, posting an .860 SV% and a -1.0 GSAx. To me, Joel Hofer is the guy for the Blues that they need to rely on, but they won’t. Binnington won this franchise its first ever Stanley Cup, and they’re going to ride him until the wheels fall off.
Blackhawks vs. Blues Prediction
This used to be a big-time rivalry matchup, but then the Blackhawks began their rebuild. I think the light is at the end of the tunnel for Chicago though. It may take time, but there’s a lot of hope.
The Blackhawks aren’t an easy out anymore, as in their three losses so far, they’ve only lost by one goal.
Knight being the netminder has been a major help, and I think this will be the season where he starts his campaign to becoming a top goaltender in this league.
In hockey, +1.5 is usually met with unbettable odds, but this time, Blackhawks +1.5 is at decent value. Given the trends that I’ve seen, and with how well Knight has performed, I can totally see this being a one goal game. And if Binnington is in net for the Blues, it wouldn’t surprise me if Chicago pulls a rabbit out of the hat and comes out with a win.
Pick: Blackhawks +1.5
