Red Wings vs Blues NHL Odds, Picks, Predictions

Red Wings vs. Blues Odds

The Detroit Red Wings travel to St. Louis on Tuesday to take on the Blues after suffering a blowout loss on Monday night. Detroit has dealt with some issues since the trade deadline, losing three in a row and going 2-7-1 in its last 10 games.

St. Louis is fresh off a 3-0 shutout win in Winnipeg. While the Blues are far out of the playoff race, they’ve won two in a row and have gone 5-5 in their last 10.

Here’s a look at the odds, as well as our prediction for the Detroit Red Wings vs. St. Louis Blues.

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Detroit Red Wings

Captain Dylan Larkin is leading the charge in Detroit at a near point per game pace. Behind him, the Red Wings have received contributions from veterans like David Perron, Dominik Kubalik, and the youngsters in Mo Seider and Lucas Raymond. They are down a few players, though as depth pieces such as Robby Fabbri, Gustav Lindstrom and Ben Chiarot are all out with injury.

The Red Wings have had a hard time generating a sustainable even strength attack since the trade deadline. They rank 18th in expected goals with a 48.14 xGF% and the power play is OK, scoring 20.9% of the time.

On the contrary, even strength defense has been their strong suit. Detroit ranks 12th with a 2.45 xGA/60 (expected goals allowed per 60 minutes). The penalty kill can use some work though, only having a 78.2% success rate.

With Ville Husso starting Monday night, I can see Magnus Hellberg getting the nod. Hellberg has had a decent season for a backup, playing to a +1.8 goals saved above expected (GSAx), and a .902 SV%

St. Louis Blues

As the Blues prepare for a new era by trading key parts to their Stanley Cup team years ago, they have a great young core locked up for years to come. Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas are their stars, as well as Pavel Buchnevich, who are all 60+ point scorers. Veteran Brayden Schenn is also chiming in with 51 points.

Overall this team is good, but things are getting stale. For the month of March, they’re ranked 16th in expected goals with a 48.81 xGF%, and the power play is stagnant. St. Louis’ power play is about middle of the pack, scoring at a 20.6% pace.

Along with the offense, the defense is quite mediocre as well. They have a 2.67 xGA/60 (ranked 18th), and the penalty kill is only good 76.6% of the time.

What will be interesting to watch is if coach Craig Berube sticks with the youngster Joel Hofer. Hofer was called up after starter Jordan Binnington was suspended for two games, and played to a .970 SV% and a +3.9 GSAx. Binnington has struggled all season, and seemed to have gotten on Berube’s nerves for on-ice antics, so maybe Hofer gets the nod here.

Red Wings vs. Blues Pick

Both Detroit and St. Louis reek of mediocrity, but the Blues are trending upward while the Wings are heading for the bottom. I tend to like Blues chances here, especially since the Red Wings are living in pure chaos. They're coming in on a travel day, they have depth injuries and three games in four nights to boot. Since Detroit’s front office essentially gave up on the team at the trade deadline, it’s carried onto the players.

I’ve always liked the Blues. I think things may be getting a little stale with Berube at the helm, but they can still play. Not to mention, if Hofer works out to be a legitimate goaltender, all eyes will be pointed towards the Gateway City.

I can see things getting worse in Detroit, with the Blues coming out on top in regulation.

Pick: St. Louis Blues 60 Minute ML (+105)