Welcome to another edition of NHL Predictions! We hope your weekend was enjoyable and wish you a successful week ahead. The NHL has five games on this last Monday in January. For this edition of NHL Predictions, we are taking a look at the game between the St. Louis Blues and the Vancouver Canucks.
NHL Predictions
St. Louis Blues vs. Vancouver Canucks
Time: 7:30 P.M. Eastern Time
TV: FanDuel Sports Midwest, Sports Network Pacific
Head-to-Head: 1-0 Blues
The Blues won the season’s first meeting on December 10th, 4-3, on an overtime goal by Dylan Holloway. That was the only game of the season series that will take place in Canada. The series’ final two games, including Monday, will take place in St. Louis.
Blues Coming Off Disappointing Game on Saturday
The Blues lost their last game, 2-0, to the Dallas Stars. The Blues outshot the Stars 33-19. However, the first period was rough for the team. The Stars were the better team by a wide margin. After the Stars scored the first goal, just a few minutes into the game, Blues head coach Jim Montgomery used his timeout. His facial expression and mannerisms while talking to the team indicated he was not pleased with the effort. They played an intense second and third period to the Blues credit. However, they could not solve Casey DeSmith.
“Definitely got to find ways to come away with points. Only had two good periods tonight and not three. At the end of the day, it hurt us,” Blues captain Brayden Schenn said. “We didn’t come to play the first little bit there (in the first period). Two games in a row, and it cost us against good teams. It’s hard to come back against good teams when you get down early.”
The Blues enter play Monday five points out of the Western Conference playoff picture. They are two points behind the Canucks, who are in ninth place. Monday is a big opportunity for the Blues to make up ground against a team right next to them in the standings.
Canucks Trying to Figure Out Their Deadline Plan
The Canucks enter play Monday with a 21-17-10 record and are just three points of a playoff spot. Yet, the team may choose to be sellers at the Trade Deadline. Rumours have circulated regarding the team trading key players like Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller. Miller was nearly traded to the New York Rangers a short time ago. Furthermore, the Canucks were believed to have been involved in what became the blockbuster three-team trade that happened Friday. Ultimately, the Canucks did not participate in the trade.
The Canucks may be within striking distance of the playoffs, but for the sake of the team’s future, it may be a good idea to collect what they can for two scorers. There is time for the Canucks to figure out what they want to do, but the clock is ticking.
Prediction
This is a game the Blues need to win. The Canucks appear to be still weighing their options. Does this mean the Canucks will have less pressure than the Blues, given expectations? Possibly. We are going to pick the Canucks to play the spoiler’s role in this one.
Canucks win, 4-2.
Prop Bets
The over/under is set at 5.5 goals. We are taking the over with six goals between the two teams.
We are picking Quinn Hughes as an anytime-scorer for the Canucks. Hughes leads the Canucks with 54 points. For the Blues, we are going to choose Jake Neighbours.
Main Photo: Bob Frid- Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: January 27th: St. Louis Blues Vs. Vancouver Canucks appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.