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NHL Predictions: 2014 St. Louis Blues Season Preview & Futures Odds

Bet On NHL Hockey: Blues

The St. Louis Blues should be an angry bunch as we head into the 2014-2015 season – eager to better a 52-23-7 record and equally keen to avenge an almost unbelievable first round playoff exit from last season.

NHL Predictions

San Jose Sharks
Odds to win the 2015 Stanley Cup: 12/1
Odds to win the 2015 Western Conference: 6/1
Odds to Win the 2014 Central Division: 3/1
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2014-2015 St. Louis Blues Betting Preview:

The Blues resisted making wholesale changes this offseason but the few moves they made could take this team over the top this year.

St. Louis went out and got arguably one of the biggest fish in the free agent class – Paul Stastny comes over from Colorado, Carl Gunnarrson arrives from the Leafs and Jori Lehtera was added and is projected as a top 6 forward for the team.

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The Blues will be strong, they will be deep and they will be talented up front again despite the loss of Vladimir Sobotka and Derek Roy.

Alex Steen, off a breakout season will be back looking to better his 62 point campaign in 68 games. David Backes and TJ Oshie will be there to help Steen on a power play that will be near the top again this year. The Blues enter the season as the team that nobody wants to play – and that’s a good thing!

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Size, speed, and overall talent up front will make St. Louis a nightmare to play against – it’s true. But regular season success won’t be enough for this squad in 2014-2015 – it’s a long playoff run or bust for the Blues.

St. Louis had some issues with defense and goaltending last year – gone is the underwhelming Ryan Miller leaving Brian Elliot and Jake Allen to patrol the crease for the Blues. Expect the Blues to use both keepers this year – the hot hand will likely reign supreme. Goaltending has a chance to be the glaring weakness on the Blues team this year – top tier puck stoppers are essential for teams hoping to reach the promise land in the NHL. Brian Elliot should be the man that emerges – he looks like a second tier guy to me.

FREE Blues NHL Predictions 2014/2015

The Blues are a nice team, capable of making a serious run in the playoffs in 2014-2015.

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They have followed the blue print of another Western Conference power, Los Angeles. Both teams have immense size, speed and skill up front, they have stellar coaching and they have enormous expectations every time they take to the ice.

But a few of things have me a tad scared off by the Blues this year. First off is their lack of success in the playoffs – a place that they should be dominant with the makeup of their team. Secondly is the shaky goaltending situation.

St. Louis obviously had a lack of trust in Brian Elliot and Jake Allen when they brought Ryan Miller in last year – and these guys haven’t gotten a whole lot better. Thirdly and perhaps most importantly are the teams in their division and their conference. Simply put Chicago and Los Angeles look like better teams.

Expect St. Louis to be god again this year – I just don’t know about great. A second place in the Central looks probable but a Western Conference title and a Stanley Cup may be another year or two away.

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By DaveB

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.