Welcome to the latest edition of NHL Predictions. Each day, our team here at Last Word on Hockey breaks down head-to-head matchups and other key elements that may influence the outcome of each game. We also have a featured game of the day, which is considered must-watch TV. Today, we are looking at Tuesday’s game between the St. Louis Blues and the Ottawa Senators.
NHL Predictions
St. Louis Blues vs. Ottawa Senators
Time: 7:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: TSN5, RDS1, FanDuel Sports Network Midwest
The Blues and Senators will meet Tuesday for the first time this season. The Blue Note lead the all-time series with the Senators, 23-17-2-2. Furthermore, the Blues swept the season series last season, 2-0. The first game, played in December, was the Blues first game following the firing of head coach Craig Berube. The game also featured Blues fans booing forward Jordan Kyrou following comments made regarding Berube’s firing.
This game will be notable for players going against their former team. For the Blues, former Senator Mathieu Joseph will play against his former team for the first time since the trade over the summer. In addition, a 2019 Stanley Cup Champion would have faced off against the Blues as member of the Senators, David Perron. However, Perron remains at home with his family and we wish him all the best at this time. In addition, Senators captain Brady Tkachuk will play against the team he grew up watching as his father, Keith Tkachuk, was a longtime Blue.
The Blues Story
The Blues are 5-4-0 on the still young season. The team is playing the third game of a four-game road trip. Furthermore, this is the final of three-straight games being played in Canada.
The Blues are looking to navigate the season despite some key injuries. Defenceman Nick Leddy was placed on injured reserve last week. In addition, Robert Thoms is also on injured reserved following an injury last week. The team is looking for players to step up in the absence of Thomas. Jake Neighbours and Jordan Kyrou have obliged, with Kyrou leading the team in points and Neighbours leading the team in goals.
The Senators Story
Despite two goals from Claude Giroux, the Senators fell in their last game, 5-4. The Sens are 4-4-0 through their first eight games. The team’s offence has had a strong start, with four players averaging more than a point a game. Tkachuk leads the team with 11 points through eight games. Tim Stutzle and Drake Batherson have recorded 10 points. Lastly, the veteran Giroux has nine points.
Surprisingly, it is the goaltending that has struggled early for the Senators. Lunis Ullmark, who the Senators acquired in a big June trade, has a 3.35 goals against average with just a .885 save percentage. Ullmark has been open about his struggles and has taken responsibility for them. In fact, no goalie on the Senators has a goals against average above 3.00 goals or a save percentage above .900.
A couple lineup notes for the Sens. With Perron out, as well Shane Pinto is listed as week-to-week, a couple of callups have been made. Adam Gaudette is back with the Sens and Zack Ostapchuk is likely to make his season debut tonight for the Sens.
ROSTER UPDATE: Adam Gaudette and Zack Ostapchuk have been recalled from the @BellevilleSens.
Adam Gaudette et Zack Ostapchuk ont été rappelés des @BellevilleSens.
— Sens Communications (@Media_Sens) October 29, 2024
Prediction
Both teams have seen production from their offence. The difference is between the pipes. The Blues have had strong play from their goaltenders, Jordan Binnington and Joel Hofer. The Senators have had their aforementioned struggles, which is a factor in making this prediction. The Sens have the potential to put pucks in the net, but can their goalie give them the support they need? We are not so sure.
Blues win, 5-1.
Prop Bets
FanDuel has the over/under set at 6.5 goals. Based on the NHL Predictions, here’s bets to make. We are taking just under that with six total goals. However, FanDuel agrees with us that this will be a game that features quite a few goals.
When it comes to prop bets, let us have some fun with a player playing against his former team. We are taking Mathieu Joseph for the Blues at +550 as an anytime scorer. We also like Jake Neighbours at +290.
For the Senators, we will roll with the veteran, Giroux. He is tied for the team lead in goals. We are going to say he breaks the tie Tuesday.
Main Photo: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
