In this article, we will formulate a Blues vs Blue Jackets prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, January 11th at the Enterprise Center in Saint Louis, Missouri. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
St. Louis Blues Betting Preview
The St. Louis Blues are 20-19-4 this year after they defeated Anaheim by a score of 6-2 in their last game. St. Louis scored the first four goals in the game and they were able to cruise to the win in the third period. The Blues outshot Anaheim by a total of 34-23, won 53.8% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. St. Louis got goals from Buchnevich, Holloway, Kyrou, Thomas (2), and Tucker, while Hofer stopped 21 out of 23 shots in the game.
Prior to that win, the Blues lost to the Wild by a score of 6-4 and the Blue Jackets by a score of 6-4. St. Louis has won three of their last five games and they are currently fifth in the Central standings with 44 points. St. Louis has scored 2.86 goals per game and they have allowed 3.05 goals against per game, while also going 17.9% on the power play and 73.8% on the penalty kill this season. Jordan Kyrou has led St. Louis with 19 goals, 19 assists, and 130 shots on goal, while Robert Thomas has added 11 goals, 22 assists, and 67 shots on goal. Jordan Binnington is 11-15-3 with a 2.87 goals against average and an .896 save percentage this year.
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets are 19-17-6 this season after they defeated Seattle by a score of 6-2 in their last game. Columbus was tied at one after the first period, but they scored four goals in the second to pull away for the win. The Blue Jackets were outshot by a total of 31-24, won 45.1% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Columbus got goals from Del Bel Belluz, Johnson, Kuraly, Marchenko, Mateychuk, and Werenski, while Merzlikins stopped 29 out of 31 shots in the game.
Prior to that win, the Blue Jackets defeated the Penguins by a score of 4-3 and the Blues by a score of 6-4. Columbus has won three games in a row and four of their last five, and they are currently fourth in the Metro standings with 44 points. Columbus has scored 3.43 goals per game and they have allowed 3.57 goals against per game, while also going 23.6% on the power play and 73.6% on the penalty kill this season. Zach Werenski has led Columbus with 13 goals, 35 assists, and 164 shots on goal, while Kirill Marchenko has added 18 goals, 28 assists, and 123 shots on goal. Elvis Merzlikins is 15-10-3 with a 3.13 goals against average and an .889 save percentage this year.
Why the Blues will beat the Blue Jackets
- The Blue Jackets have lost 14 of their last 16 road games following a win.
- The home team has won each of the Blues’ last four games.
- The favorites have covered the puck line in each of the Blues’ last five games.
- The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in three of their last four games at Enterprise Center following a home win.
- The Blue Jackets have lost the third period in seven of their last eight games at Enterprise Center following a win.
Total Goals Facts
- Eight of the Blue Jackets’ last nine games have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Six of the last seven games between the Blue Jackets and Blues have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Blue Jackets’ last 13 games against Central Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in seven of the Blues’ last eight games as home favorites.
St. Louis Blues Player Prop Facts
- Jordan Kyrou has scored a goal in five of the Blues’ last six night games at Enterprise Center.
- Jordan Kyrou has recorded at least one point in 14 of the Blues’ last 15 night games at Enterprise Center.
- Justin Faulk has recorded an assist in seven of his last eight appearances with the Blues as home favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts
- Kent Johnson has scored at least one goal in each of his last four road appearances against Central Division opponents.
- Kirill Marchenko has recorded at least one point in eight of the Blue Jackets’ last nine games as underdogs.
- Zach Werenski has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Blue Jackets’ last eight games.
Matchup/League Facts
- The St. Louis Blues rank 27th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (73.83%).
- The St. Louis Blues rank 25th in the league in power play percentage this season (17.89%).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 31st in the league for goals against per game this season (3.57).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 5th in the league for goals per game this season (3.43).
Blues vs Blue Jackets Prediction
Columbus comes into this matchup playing their best hockey of the season and they have won three of their last four games, but they will be on the road here. The Blue Jackets are 5-12-3 on the road, while the Blues are 9-9-1 at home. Columbus did beat St. Louis by a score of 6-4 on January 4th, but that was in Columbus, where the Blue Jackets have been elite. St. Louis has lost two of their last three games, but they have won five of their last eight. The Blues are only scoring 2.86 goals per game this year, but their defense has been much better than Columbus’. I still don’t trust this Columbus team on the road, so give me the Blues at home.