Preds' Power Play was the Key to Game 1 Victory

Game 1 between the Blues and Predators was an interesting one. It featured long periods of 5-on-5 domination by the Notes and a small window during which they couldn’t stay out of the penalty box. Nashville punished St. Louis, going 2-for-3 on the man advantage with the help of 14 total power-play shots. It’s clear what the Blues have to do if they’re to win Game 2 and that’s stay out of the damn box.

SHARK BITES
  • The Blues are 6-0 SU in their last 6 games after losing, with no back-to-back losses since March 3.
  • Jake Allen has not posted back-to-back starts with a save percentage under .900 since February 18.
  • The Blues had 10 more even-strength shots than the Predators in Game 1.

The win in the opener came at a serious cost for the Preds. Kevin Fiala took a nasty spill into the boards early in the second period, breaking his femur and severing his femoral artery. He obviously won’t be back any time soon and will be lucky to play at all next season.

Of the teams that made the playoffs, the Predators had the third-best power play in the regular season and it’s operating at a 42.9 percent clip on the road this postseason. Taking penalties against this team is an automatic kill shot.

The loss of Fiala, however, will only add to the Blues’ even-strength domination and I expect them to be a little more disciplined Friday night. If St. Lou can manage to do that, there’s no reason they shouldn’t be heading to Music City with the series tied at one game apiece.

Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick

Betting fans looking to side with the St. Louis Blues in this one found them earlier as -115 favorites on the NHL money line at Sportsbook. Betting the over under total instead? It was hovering near 5 at its open earlier today at Sportsbook and may have moved.

Odds Shark prediction models pick the Predators to win this game 3.6-1.8. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.

Nashville Predators vs St. Louis Blues Matchup

Team Betting Records & Power Rankings

50-31-7 St. Louis battles the Predators, currently with a 46-29-12 mark. The OVER/UNDER records, important for totals bettors, are 36-39-13 for the Blues and 42-36-9 for the Predators. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and St. Louis vs Nashville injuries news.

This game puts the St. Louis Blues, most recently No. 6 in the Odds Shark NHL Power Rankings, up against the Nashville Predators, who rate a No. 22 in the latest survey.

Statistical Matchup

The game also pits St. Louis's No. 13-ranked offense, averaging 2.83 goals per game, against a Predators defense that ranks No. 14 at 2.64 goals allowed. The Blues power play is averaging 20.32% while the Predators defense kills off 81.2% of their penalties.

Recent Outings Betting Recap

Nashville was a 4-3 Sportsbook in its last match on the road against the Blues. They won as +102 underdogs, while the total score of 7 made Sportsbooks of OVER bettors.

Betting Trends
  • Nashville is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
  • Nashville is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
  • Nashville is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
  • Nashville is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
  • St. Louis is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
  • St. Louis is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 7 games
  • St. Louis is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home

Next Betting Matchups

Nashville home to St. Louis, Sunday, April 30th

The Blues are 6-0 SU in their last 6 games after losing, with no back-to-back losses since March 3.home Jake Allen has not posted back-to-back starts with a save percentage under .900 since February 18.home The Blues had 11 more even-strength shots than the Predators in Game 1.home
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