The St. Louis Blues (37-20-10) are north of the border to face the Pacific-leading Calgary Flames (40-18-9) Tuesday at Scotiabank Saddledome. Puck drop is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we look at the Blues vs. Flames odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
This is a matchup of the fifth-best offense in hockey (St. Louis, 3.5 goals per game), and the second-best defense in hockey (Calgary, 2.4 goals against per game). The teams split their first two meetings this season with laughers at 7-1 and 5-1.
The Blues were lucky to pick up a point Friday at Edmonton as they tied it at 5 before losing in overtime despite trailing 4-1 in the first period. G Ville Husso was unbelievable, stopping 25 of 27 shots after he was thrust into action in the first period after G Jordan Binnington allowed 4 goals on 13 shots. C Jordan Kyrou (illness) has been out for the last two games and remains questionable. His return would provide a spark.
Calgary is on the tail end of trading two-game winning and losing streaks. They lost to the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 in a shootout Thursday.
Blues at Flames odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:08 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Blues +200 (bet $100 to win $200) | Flames -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Blues +1.5 (-125) | Flames -1.5 (+100)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -105 | U: -120)
Blues at Flames projected goalies
Ville Husso (18-6-5, 2.40 GAA, .923 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Jacob Markstrom (31-13-8, 2.15 GAA, .925 SV%, 9 SO)
Husso has been the Blues’ MVP and they wouldn’t be in the playoff picture without him. It’s going to be tough to rebound for this peak matchup if they ask him to 24 hours after he was thrust into action at Edmonton. Husso stopped 28 of 29 shots in the 5-1 win in January, and he stopped all 13 shots he saw in relief of Binnington in the 7-1 loss before that.
Markstrom, who leads the league in shutouts, was the starter in both of the matchups this season. He stopped 43 of 49 shots across one great performance and one flat one. He’ll be the difference either way Saturday.
Prediction
Flames 4, Blues 3
Money line
Let’s start out by saying the Blues could absolutely steal Saturday’s game. They get down early in a lot of games but they have so much talent on offense that they can crawl back into it. However, I’m not confident enough to go on the money line here with a potentially tired goalie between the pipes. The Blues have also lost four in a row on no rest. PASS.
Against the spread
Let’s put that 7-1 Flames win in perspective. St. Louis didn’t show up for that game and Calgary scored all 7 of its goals in the first two frames. So we’re not going to put much stock in that offensive barrage. The Blues are 17-16 on the puck line on the road and can score with anyone. They just tend to make ridiculous decisions in the D-zone that lead to easy chances. They will fight, though, and that’s why we’re leaning BLUES +1.5 (-125).
Over/Under
The Over is 5-0 in the Blues’ last five road games and 6-1 in their last seven overall. This has an Over feel with a tired or struggling goalie for St. Louis and with a thunderous offense that already put up 5 goals on Markstrom earlier this year. Calgary is inconsistent, but they can drop 9 on you in a hurry. Take the OVER 6.5 (-105).