Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are scheduled and offers insight and analysis to help predict who will be victorious in head-to-head matchups. For today, we are looking at the game between the St. Louis Blues and the Anaheim Ducks.
NHL Predictions
St. Louis Blues vs. Anaheim Ducks
Time: 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Midwest, Victory+, KCOP-13
The Blues and Ducks are meeting for the first time this season. The Blues swept the season series last season as well as the season before. In addition, the Blues have won seven straight games against the Ducks. In those seven games, the Blue Note has scored six goals four times.
Blues Begin Home Stand
Thursday’s game begins a four-game home stand for the Blues. The team returns home after consecutive 6-4 losses last Saturday and this past Tuesday. Tuesday’s loss was particularly hard for the team. The team took a 4-2 lead into the third period before giving up four straight goals. Head coach Jim Montgomery felt the team lacked the grit needed to secure the win.
“Thought we were really good after we fell down 2-nothing,” Montgomery said. “And I thought we were really good ‘til about eight-minute mark of the second, and then I thought we didn’t have enough grit or as much determination as they did.”
Thankfully, the Blues get the opportunity to get back on track just 48 hours later. Furthermore, the Blues get an opportunity to get two points against a team that is under .500. The Blues have only a few sub-.500 opponents to close out January. The team needs to take advantage and get two points against teams they should beat.
For defenceman Cam Fowler, he will play against his former team for the first time since being traded to the Blues in December. Fowler has played well since joining the Blues, including a two-goal game in the Winter Classic. Fowler scored his 100th career goal in the Blues loss on Saturday.
Ducks Begin Road Trip
Thursday’s game begins a six-game road trip for the Ducks. After a stop in St. Louis, the Ducks will finish their road trip with games against Eastern Conference opponents. The Ducks will not return home until January 21st.
The Ducks season has gone just about how one might have expected. The team has played in some close games but has not been able to sustain success. They are a rebuilding team and are looking towards the future. However, the team did recently make a significant move in maintaining leadership in the locker room by re-signing Frank Vatrano. Vatrano has been a versatile player for the Ducks. His work ethic is a great example for a young locker room.
Prediction
The Blues lost two games that they could have won. Jim Montgomery has identified a lack of grit as a reason why the team did not finish the game the other night. We think the Blues will hit the ice strong on Thursday and look to make a statement to right the ship. It will be a good start to the home stand.
Blues win, 4-1.
Prop Bets
The over/under for the game is set at 5.5 goals. We are taking just under that with five total goals.
For prop bets, we like Cam Fowler to light the lamp against his former team. For the Ducks, we are going to keep with the theme of “scoring on former team,” and select former Blue Robby Frabbi to score.
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Main Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
