Blues vs Ducks NHL Line & Handicapping
Race for the President’s Trophy Commences Friday Night – Ducks Host Blues
The NHL overall leaders Anaheim Ducks begin their stretch run Friday night when they play host to one of the teams nipping at their heels in the President’s Trophy race, the St. Louis Blues.
CLICK TO GRAB OUR BEST Expert NHL Picks for 2014 HOCKEY Betting!
St. Louis (39-13-3-3) at Anaheim (41-14-1-4)
When: 10:00 PM ET, Friday, February 28, 2014
Where: Honda Center, Anaheim, California
Broadcast: FS-MW, PRIME
Blues vs. Ducks Betting Lines from betonline.com
St Louis Blues +1½ -305 +105 Ov 5½ +114
Anaheim Ducks -1½ +255 -116 Un 5½ -126
[dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
The Ducks stumbled into the Olympic break losing three of their last four games before the hiatus while getting shut out twice. The Blues although they have been stellar all season long are coming off an uninspiring 1-0 loss to the Canucks Wednesday night and they have lost both games against the Ducks so far this year.
The St. Louis Blues are knocking on the door of top spot in the overall standings – just three points back of the Ducks heading into Friday night’s game with two games in hand. But an offense that had scored four goals or more in four straight games before the Olympic break registered zero goals and just 20 shots Wednesday night against the Canucks.
That said the Blues still average 3.26 goals per game – it is unlikely this club lays an egg two games in a row. It will likely be up to Jaroslav Halak to keep them in this game.
*CLICK HERE* GRAB OUR BEST Expert NHL Hockey Picks for 2014 GAMBLING season!
Halak was very good Wednesday stopping 34 of 35 shots – a good sign considering the struggles he had in Sochi (a 5.17 GAA). Halak has had his issues with Anaheim however – a 0-3-0 with a 4.75 goals-against average and .804 save percentage since March 21, 2012.
The Anaheim Ducks looked unbeatable the first half of the season on home ice but the air of invincibility wore off as we approached the Olympic break. They have five regulation losses on the year – all five have come in their last seven, including three straight.
[ad-4437448]
As mentioned earlier the Ducks struggled mightily losing three of four games before the break – posting zeros in two of those games. Corey Perry and Teemu Selanne had one point in four games before the break, Kyle Palmieri was pointless in three games, Andrew Cogliano and Jakob Silverberg were pointless in four games and Matt Beleskey was pointless in five. But Ryan Getzlaf had four goals in five games for the Ducks before the Olympics, giving him a career-high 29 to tie for fourth in the League.
A lot of slumps were broken in Sochi and a lot of bodies were heeled up during the break – the Ducks are littered with top tier pros that should be ready to go Friday.
Dave’s FREE NHL Betting Prediction
A few trends to consider:
• Under is 6-2 in STL last 8 road games.
• Under is 16-6-4 in STL last 26 Fri. games.
• STL are 39-19 in their last 58 overall.
• Under is 6-2 in ANA last 8 vs. Western Conference.
• ANA are 40-16 in their last 56 home games.
• ANA are 41-18 in their last 59 overall.
• STL are 5-16-1 in the last 22 meetings in Anaheim.
• Over is 12-4 in the last 16 meetings.
Expect the St. Louis Blues to be a motivated bunch after a ugly effort Wednesday night but the Duck Pond is a challenge not too many have conquered this year. Add in the fact that Anaheim has had St. Louis’s number all season long and it looks very much like a Ducks win Friday night. It is hard to believe the Blues getting swept by any team this year but Vancouver accomplished that feat and Anaheim will do the same.
Pick: Anaheim Ducks -116
