NHL Odds, Pick & Preview: Coyotes vs. Blues (April 4)
Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images. Pictured: St. Louis Blues teammates Ivan Barbashev, Brayden Schenn and Justin Fault.
- The Blues are heavy home favorites against the Coyotes on Monday night.
- With both offenses surging and defenses struggling, is there value on the total?
- Tony Sartori breaks down the matchup and shares his best bet below.
Coyotes vs. Blues Odds
| Coyotes Odds | +295 |
| Blues Odds | -260 |
| Over/Under | 6 (-115/-105) |
| Time | 8 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
| Odds via BetMGM. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
We have a Central Division tilt on Monday night when the eighth-place Arizona Coyotes travel to St. Louis to take on the third-place Blues. This is the third meeting between these two teams this season as the average total score has been eight goals between the two previous matchups.
Will we see another high-scoring affair between these two teams, or can the goaltenders step up this time around?
Coyotes Playing High-Scoring Games Frequently
The Arizona Coyotes have seen many high-scoring games lately as there have been six or more total goals scored in 10 of their last 14 games. As Arizona has depleted its entire defensive corps through trade or injury, the goaltending has had next-to-no help.
The Coyotes have given up an average of 3.88 goals over their last eight games, which is especially troubling going on the road against a very skilled offensive team in St. Louis. This season, the Coyotes rank just 30th in the league in five-on-five Expected Goals Against per 60 minutes (xGA).
On the flip side, the Coyotes' offense has held its own in the month of March. Over their last 14 contests, the Coyotes are averaging 3.5 goals scored per game.
While I get there may be some concern with the Coyotes entering this matchup on the second half of a back-to-back, their scoring has actually not been too affected by this circumstance. Over their last five games on the second half of a back-to-back, the Coyotes are averaging 3.4 goals scored per contest.
Blues Should Score Often on the Coyotes
The St. Louis Blues enter this contest following Saturday's 6-4 win over the Calgary Flames. Saturday's game was yet another high-scoring affair for a Blues team that has seen six or more total goals scored in 10 of its last 12 games.
Much like the Coyotes, the Blues' defense has been very poor this season. Currently, St. Louis ranks just 26th in the league in five-on-five Expected Goals Against per 60 minutes (xGA).
However, St. Louis' offense has been rolling recently. Over their last eight games, the Blues are averaging four goals scored per contest.
This season, St. Louis ranks seventh in the league in average Expected Goal Value of five-on-five shot attempts. The Blues should not struggle to find High-Danger Scoring Chances against a Coyotes team that bleeds them every single night.
Coyotes vs. Blues Pick
This game features two teams with capable offenses and very poor blue lines, a recipe for a game with many High-Danger Scoring Chances. With the total just set at six, I think these teams can, at the bare minimum, reach that number.
I would not play this if the total moves to 6.5 before puck drop.
Pick: Coyotes/Blues Over 6 (-115) | Play down to (-125)
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