St. Louis Blues vs Montreal Canadiens prediction 11-4-23 NHL Picks

The Montreal Canadiens and the St. Louis Blues lace up their skates for a clash that promises a riveting duel of offense versus defense. The Canadiens, holding a mixed bag of results with a 5-3-2 record, skate into Enterprise Center to challenge the Blues, who have been defensively sound but offensively starved with a 3-4-1 record. Both squads are eyeing a rebound performance, setting the stage for a gritty showdown where every shift could tip the scales.

Habs Hunting for Consistency

The Montreal Canadiens skate into this game with a point to prove, poised to tip the scales back in their favor. Their offense, while not prolific, has been punctuated by the sharpshooting of Sean Monahan, who has lit the lamp six times this season. Yet, their production is not solely on Monahan’s shoulders; Cole Caufield has been an equally vital cog in the Canadiens’ scoring machine, contributing 10 points to the team’s cause. This duo’s output has been critical in games where the Habs need that offensive spark. 

In the blue paint, Jake Allen has stood tall as the last line of defense, boasting a save percentage that places him among the upper echelons of goaltending thus far into the season. His 2.72 GAA reflects a goalie who can keep his team in the game on most nights. However, the team’s overall defensive play has left much to be desired. The Canadiens have allowed an average of 3.10 goals against per game, a stat that must tighten up if they wish to climb the standings. 

Looking at trends, the Canadiens have shown a knack for resilience. Montreal has rebounded from deficits, as evidenced by shootout wins and the closely contested battles that went beyond regulation. Yet, the trend of playing catch-up is a double-edged sword; while it showcases character, it also points to a pattern of slow starts. The Canadiens will be able to flip the script against the Blues by setting the tempo early and maintaining it throughout the game. Their special teams have been middle of the road, with a power play clicking at 20% and a penalty kill at 75%. 

Montreal Canadiens Team Facts

• The Canadiens have won five of their last six games as underdogs against the Blues.
• The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the Canadiens’ last four games.
• The Canadiens have lost the second period in each of their last four games as underdogs against Central Division opponents.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in 11 of the Canadiens’ last 12 games following a road loss.

Blues Battling the Blues

The St. Louis Blues find themselves in an offensive problem, as the goals have been sparse, and the wins have been hard to come by. With the team sitting at the lower end of the spectrum in goals, the search for a spark to ignite their scoring has been unyielding. Robert Thomas leads the pack with a modest 6 points, a total that reflects the team’s struggle to find the back of the net consistently. The previous game against the Avalanche was a stark reminder of their offensive woes, as they were held to a single goal in a 4-1 defeat. 

However, it’s not all doom and gloom for the Blues. Defensively, they’ve been formidable, with a team goals-against average among the league’s best. Jordan Binnington has been a bastion in goal, with a save percentage of .916 and a GAA of 2.61, which are commendable given the Blues’ scoring challenges. Binnington’s play has been a silver lining and could be the foundation the Blues need to build upon as they look to turn their season around. The defensive corps, anchored by the steady play of Colton Parayko and the experience of Nick Leddy, will need to continue excellent play while finding ways to support the offense from the back end.

Trends indicate that the Blues have been heavily reliant on their penalty kill, which has been successful 78.3% of the time. This has been a saving grace for a team that has struggled to light the lamp. A trend that cannot be ignored is their abysmal power play, which has converted a mere 4% of the time. In a league where special teams can often be the difference between a win and a loss, the Blues’ inability to capitalize on man-advantage situations has been a glaring issue. As they prepare to face the Canadiens, the focus in practice and the locker room will be to find solutions to these power play woes. With a team that’s ranked first in fewest penalty minutes, the Blues have demonstrated discipline, but they must now channel that discipline into offensive production. 

St. Louis Blues Team Facts

• The Blues have lost each of their last six games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The Blues have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The Blues have lost the second period in each of their last four games following a win.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Blues’ last 20 Saturday at Enterprise Center.

Matchup/League Facts

• The St. Louis Blues ranks 32nd in the league in power play percentage this season (3.70%).
• The St. Louis Blues ranks 30th in the league for goals per game this season (2.00).
• The Montreal Canadiens ranks 31st in the league for shots against per game this season (35.2).
• The Montreal Canadiens ranks 2nd in the league in penalty minutes this season (157).

David’s Pick – Montreal Canadiens (+103)

The Canadiens, with a more potent offense and a goalie in Allen who can keep them close, have the edge. The Blues’ scoring struggles are a significant handicap, and while their defense has been solid, it may not be enough to contain the Habs’ attackers. The Canadiens are also due for a bounce-back performance after their recent tight loss. With both teams eyeing a return to winning ways, the edge goes to Montreal, who are positioned to exploit the Blues’ offensive woes and cement a victory on enemy ice.