Current form of the team: the recent performances of St. Louis have left a mixed impression. The team began a short road series with a loss to Utah (2:4), where goaltender Jordan Binnington failed to deliver, saving only 87% of the shots. However, despite defensive issues, the team managed to bounce back in a game against Vegas. In a dramatic match that ended in a shootout, the Blues claimed a 5:4 victory, though they could have avoided the tense ending had they not conceded a goal in the final 30 seconds of regular time.
Back on home ice, St. Louis faced Vegas again but displayed a poor offensive effort this time – only 17 shots on goal over three periods – resulting in a 2:4 defeat. In their subsequent match against Dallas, the team failed to score altogether, losing 0:2. It’s evident that the Blues are struggling to both create and convert scoring chances. Currently, they sit in 10th place in the Western Conference standings with 50 points, slowly drifting away from the playoff zone.
Key players: Brayden Schenn is a vital figure for the team, not only scoring but also serving as a reliable playmaker. Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich are also crucial contributors, often showing productive performances in recent games. However, defensive weaknesses and inconsistent play from goaltenders Binnington and Hofer continue to hinder the team’s progress.
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Injuries: Krug and Leddy remain sidelined, which weakens the team’s defensive lines.
Current form of the team: Vancouver is going through a tough period. Defensive issues are preventing the team from achieving consistent results, though there have been glimpses of hope recently. During a three-game home series, the Canucks secured an important win against Edmonton (3:2), showcasing solid defensive play. However, in the following game against Buffalo, they suffered a narrow 2:3 defeat, and in an away match against Edmonton, they were handed a crushing 2:6 loss.
Amid this difficult stretch, an unexpected victory came against Washington – one of the Eastern Conference leaders. The Canucks showed great character and managed to hold onto a slim lead, finishing the game 2:1. Despite their ongoing struggles, the team remains in contention for a playoff spot, with only three points separating them from eighth place.
Key players: Elias Pettersson remains the team’s main offensive force, while Quinn Hughes impresses with his defensive reliability and ability to join the attack. Goaltender Thatcher Demko, however, has been inconsistent, falling short of expectations.
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Injuries: Joshua remains out, while Sherwood’s participation is questionable.
The St. Louis vs. Vancouver matchup promises to be intriguing yet highly tense. Both teams face challenges that could influence the outcome: the Blues struggle with low scoring efficiency, while the Canucks have defensive lapses. St. Louis will hold a slight advantage playing at home, but Vancouver could surprise if they find the right balance between offense and defense.
We expect the game to end in regulation time. The likely score is 3:2 in favor of St. Louis if the team capitalizes on their opponent’s mistakes and demonstrates better offensive performance. However, Vancouver could take the win if they manage to organize a tight defensive game.
In the upcoming match, bookmakers have not identified a clear favorite, offering nearly equal odds for both teams. This reflects the inconsistent performances of both clubs in recent games. However, it’s important to consider that St. Louis will play on their home ice, fueled by a strong desire to redeem themselves in front of their fans and break their losing streak. On the other hand, Vancouver struggles significantly in away games, finding it challenging to secure points on the road. Given the Canucks highly unstable form, we recommend betting in favor of the home team. For added security, we suggest placing a wager with a zero handicap.
Bookmakers are offering odds of 2.36 for St. Louis, 4.35 for a draw, and 2.63 for Vancouver. Total over 5.5 goals is offered at 2.06, total under at 1.84.
Our prediction: St. Louis to win with a (0) handicap at odds of 1.84.
