The St. Louis Blues (45-20-10) visit the Music City to face the Nashville Predators (43-27-5) Sunday at Bridgestone Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET (ESPN+ and NHL Network). Below, we look at the Blues vs. Predators odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The Blues pulled out a 6-5 overtime victory at the Minnesota Wild Saturday for their 8th win in a row and 9th of 10. The Blues were up 4-1 in the third period, and Minnesota scored 4 goals in the period to force OT. The Blues put it to bed less than one minute in the extra frame.
Nashville was barely able to skate by the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 Saturday. The Predators have been scuffling, just 2-3 with 8 goals in the last 5 games. They are very good on home ice, though, at 24-13 on the season.
Blues at Predators odds and lines
- Money line: Blues -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Predators -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Blues -1.5 (+200) | Predators +1.5 (-290)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -120 | U: -105)
Blues at Predators projected goalies
Jordan Binnington (15-13-4, 3.14 GAA, .902 SV%, 2 SO) vs. David Rittich (5-3-2, 3.21 GAA, .891 SV%)
After an ugly stretch of five straight losses, Binnington made some changes and won 2 straight. He looked poised and wasn’t flopping around the crease in panic mode, allowing just 3 goals on 68 shots, in the back-to-back victories. Nashville beat him 4-3 in overtime back in November as he stopped 23 of 27 shots.
Rittich was also in goal for that 4-3 OT decision. He stopped 33 of 36 shots in the win. His last start was last Sunday, a 3-2 overtime loss against Pittsburgh. He has just 5 starts this calendar year, and has allowed 3 or more goals in 4 of 5.
Money line
With Saturday’s 6-5 OT win, the Blues set a franchise record by scoring 4 or more goals in 10 straight games.
Nashville is a tough team that plays well at home, but St. Louis won 7-4 there March 12, and lead the head-to-head series 2-1 this season.
The Blues’ offense has never been better. RW Vladimir Tarasenko has 7 goals and 4 assists in the last 4 games in one of his hottest stretches of his likely Hall of Fame career.
Could the Blues’ winning streak end here? Sure, but at -120, the BLUES are a bargain with the tear they’re on.
BACK THE BLUES (-120).
Against the spread
The Blues (-1.5, +200) win most of their games by more than 1 goal, but they toiled away a 4-1 lead Saturday, and D Nick Leddy (eye) is doubtful after he took a high stick to the face. The +200 price is tempting, but PASS.
Over/Under
There’s a lot of juice on the under here, and that could be because the Preds have just 8 goals in 5 games. They’re a good team, while the Blues likely score 4 goals. The Over is 4-0-1 in the Blues’ last 4 games and 7-0-1 in their last 8 on the road.
Binnington has been susceptible all season. So, let’s take the OVER 6.5 (+115).