The St. Louis Blues and the Arizona Coyotes meet in NHL action from the Mullett Arena on Saturday. Can the Coyotes keep their solid run of form going? Or are the Blues primed to pull of the road upset? Let’s preview this game and give out a Blues Vs. Coyotes Prediction.
St. Louis Blues Team Preview
The St. Louis Blues come into this game alternating wins and losses in five straight games after a 6-4 win over Buffalo last time out. Robert Thomas leads the Blues in scoring with 23 points including team-highs of 8 goals and 15 assists while Pavel Buchnevich has 18 points split between 8 goals and 10 assists. Jordan Kyrou has 15 points with 4 goals and 11 assists while Brayden Schenn has 14 points with 8 goals and 6 assists and Justin Faulk has 11 assists as well this season. Jordan Binnington’s gone 7-6-1 with a 2.98 GAA and a .910 save percentage between the pipes for St. Louis while Joel Hofer is 5-3 with a 3.03 GAA and a .905 save percentage this season.
St. Louis Blues Team Facts
- The Blues have won 13 of their last 20 games as underdogs following a home win.
- The favorites have covered the puck line in each of the Blues’ last four games.
- The favorites have won the first period in each of the Blues’ last four games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Blues’ last eight games against Central Division opponents.
Arizona Coyotes Team Preview
The Arizona Coyotes come into this one looking to add to their three-game win streak, following wins over Tampa Bay and Vegas with a 4-3 win over Colorado last time out. Clayton Keller leads the Coyotes with 20 points including a team-high 8 goals and 12 assists while Nick Schmaltz has 17 points with 6 goals and 11 assists. Matias Maccelli has 16 points with a team-high 13 assists while Nick Bjugstad has 15 points with 5 goals and 10 assists. Michael Carcone, Lawson Crouse and Logan Cooley each have 13 points as well with Crouse and Carcone each adding a team-high 10 goals and Crouse chipping in 11 assists. Connor Ingram has posted a 9-3 record with a 2.52 GAA and a .922 save percentage in goal for Arizona while Karel Vejmelka is 2-6-2 with a 3.45 GAA and a .892 save percentage this season.
Arizona Coyotes Team Facts
- The underdogs have won each of the Coyotes’ last four games.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the last seven games between the Blues and Coyotes.
- The Coyotes have lost the first period in five of their last six games as favorites following an overtime win.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Coyotes’ last four games as home favorites.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Arizona Coyotes ranks 6th in the league in power play percentage this season (25.00%).
- The Arizona Coyotes ranks 31st in the league for shots per game this season (27.4).
- The St. Louis Blues ranks 30th in the league in power play percentage this season (10.45%).
- The St. Louis Blues ranks 32nd in the league in penalty minutes this season (138).
Blues Vs. Coyotes Prediction
I’m backing the Coyotes here. I have to say I’m quite impressed with what the Coyotes have accomplished in the last couple of weeks with those wins over some of the league’s best and I think they’re live dogs for another here. St. Louis has been inconsistent at times and I just feel like the Coyotes are favored at home for a reason here. Give me the Coyotes.
