Welcome to NHL Predictions! The week of Christmas has arrived. The NHL will be taking a three-day break to allow players, coaches, and personnel to celebrate with their families. Before we get to the Christmas festivities, however, we have one more set of predictions to bring you. Our prediction today takes us to Hockeytown, where the Detroit Red Wings are playing the St. Louis Blues.
NHL Predictions
St. Louis Blues vs. Detroit Red Wings
Time: 7:00 Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Midwest, FanDuel Sports Network Detroit; ESPN+
The Blues and Red Wings renew their rivalry Monday evening. Last season, the Wings swept the season series with the Blues. This was the first time since the 2014-15 season that the Red Wings swept the season series with the Blues. The Blues trail the all-time series 143-147-37-5.
The rivalry has some of its luster since the teams are now in separate conferences. However, there are still the memories of the past, although Wings fans may have more pleasant memories than Blues fans.
Blues Look to Snap Skid
The Blues come into play Monday having lost three games in a row. This includes losing back-to-back games in the state of Florida on Thursday and Friday of last week. The team has played well in two of the three games. However, they have run into strong goaltending by their opponent.
Unlike the previous three games, however, the Blues are going up against an opponent with a sub .500 record. Granted, the Blues record has fallen below .500 during this skid. However, the Blues need to look at this game as one they need to win heading into the break. It would be beneficial for the team to get the money off their back heading into the break. If they head into the break having lost four in a row, that could led to some overthinking over the break, which would only increase the chances of the skid continuing.
The Blues have had two days off coming into this game. Furthermore, they have three days off before play resumes on Friday at home. The team is coming off some rest and will have more coming, with the added benefit of not having to travel when the break ends. As a result, we can expect head coach Jim Montgomery to put out the best possible lineup on Monday. There is no need to sit someone for a rest. Unless someone is truly injured, they should be expected to play Monday.
Red Wings Near the Bottom of the East Standings
After nearly making the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season, the Red Wings went into this season with the expectation that they would be playoff contenders. However, the season has not gone the way the Wings have expected. The Wings currently sit second-to-last in the Eastern Conference. They are 13-16-4.
The biggest problem has been in between the pipes for the Wings. With the exception of Cam Talbot and Sebastian Cossa, the latter of whom has only played in one game, all other Wings goalies have a goals against average above 3.00. Likewise, Talbot is the only goalie with a save percentage above .900. It is hard for teams to win when goaltenders are not stopping the puck.
Offence has been a problem as well in Hockeytown. Patrick Kane has not enjoyed the same success he did after joining the team last year. Newcomer Vladimir Tarasenko has just four goals in 32 games. Not much, if anything, has gone right for the Red Wings.
Prediction
Both teams are on mini-losing streaks and are under .500. Yet, the Blues are clearly the better team right now. We think the Blues will end their skid heading into the Christmas break with a convincing win.
Prediction: Blues win, 6-1.
Prop Bets
The over/under is set a 5.5 goals. We are taking the over with seven total goals.
For prop bets, we like Jordan Kyrou as an anytime scorer for the Blues. Furthermore, we think this may be a big game for Kyrou. If you are feeling confident two, maybe consider placing a bet on more than one goal for the former All-Star. For the Red Wings, we are picking Lucas Raymond as an anytime scorer.
Main photo by: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: December 23rd St. Louis Blues Vs. Detroit Red Wings appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.