Welcome to another edition of NHL Predictions! We have had many holidays the last few days: Christmas, the first days of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Saint Stephen’s Day all have occurred in a two-day span. We hope these days were spent with loved ones and filled with love and laughter. As we wind down the calendar year of 2024, we continue our predictions by heading to St. Louis. The St. Louis Blues are hosting the Nashville Predators in a Central Division battle.
NHL Predictions
St. Louis Blues vs. Nashville Predators
When: 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Midwest; FanDuel Sports Network South; ESPN+
The Blues and Predators are meeting for the first time this season on Friday. Last season, the Predators swept the season series, winning all three games. This season, the two divisional foes will meet an extra time for a total of four games. Furthermore, the teams will meet three times in nine days in March.
The all-time series is led by the Blues, 63-59-4-9. The Predators, however, hold the victory in the only matchup in the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the rivals, which occurred in 2017. The Predators beat the Blues in six en route to reaching their first Stanley Cup Final.
Blues Resume Season in Striking Distance of Playoffs
The Blues resume their season just four points out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The team shook off a small losing streak by winning their last game before the break behind a Jordan Binnington shutout. Dylan Holloway contributed to the win by recording his first career hat trick.
The Blue Note enter a stretch of three games in five days. After a home game Friday and Sunday, the Blues will head to the “Windy City” for the 2024 Winter Classic. The game will be a fun experience for the players and coaches. However, it is important that the team not look too far ahead. As exciting as it will be to play in a historic venue like Wrigley Field, the Blues need to take care of business on home ice first.
Preds Fans Hoping to Repeat the 2019 Blues
We will be fair. This year’s Predators are not as bad as the 2018-19 Blues were at this point in the season. The 2018-19 Blues sat at dead last at this point in that season. The Preds at least have not gotten that low. However, it cannot be argued that the Predators have underachieved in a big way this season. They entered the season with high expectations after an active off-season that brought stars to the “Music City”. However, the Predators find themselves with an 11-17-7 record. They are 11 points out of the final playoff spot right now.
The good news is, there is still time for the Predators to turn it around. However, the turnaround needs to start right away. As the Blues showed in 2018-19, you can turn it around at the New Year and have success. The Blues had expectations and underachieved, just like this year’s Predators, with both teams even having Ryan O’Reilly on the roster. If the Predators can turn it around, they can be Stanley Cup contenders. However, there is a lot that needs to happen before we start planning a parade in the “Music City.”
Prediction
The Blues have the advantage that they do not have to travel coming out of the Christmas break. In addition, their identity and confidence has grown under new head coach Jim Montgomery. While the Predators have high potential, until they show it, we are going with the home team in this one.
Prediction: Blues win, 5-2.
Prop Bets
The over/under is set at 5.5 goals. We are taking the over at seven total goals.
For prop bets, we are taking Jonathan Marchessault as any anytime scorer. For the Blues, we are taking Dylan Holloway, coming off his hat trick on Monday.
Main Photo Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: December 27th St. Louis Blues vs Nashville Predators appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.