Blues vs Maple Leafs Hockey Betting?
The St. Louis Blues and the Toronto Maple Leafs meet on a busy night in the NHL Tuesday with each team having a ton to play for. For the Blues – they are in a battle with the Boston Bruins for the President’s Trophy while the Leafs are in a battle just to make the playoffs.
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Leafs Hope to Snap Skid Against the Best in the West – Host Blues
St. Louis (48-16-4-3) at Toronto (36-29-4-4)
When: 7:00 PM ET, Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario
Broadcast: FS-MW, SNET-O
Blues vs. Leafs Betting Lines
Blues -135 / OU: 5.5
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The Leafs enter Tuesday’s game riding an ugly five game losing streak and the Blues have gone 4-0-2 in their last six meetings with the Maple Leafs.
The St. Louis Blues were in a funk last week during an uncharacteristic two game losing streak in which they were outscored 8-1. Proof that they have snapped out of their mini-slump – their impressive 1-0 win against the Penguins on Sunday afternoon. The Blues come to Toronto with one of the most well balanced teams in the game – they score an average of 3.10 goals per game and they surrender just 2.21 goals per contest.
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Offensively the Blues have hit a rough patch – they have scored a total of just two goals in their last three games. Jaden Schwartz has one point in four games, TJ Oshie is pointless in three games and Patrick Berglund and Steve Ott haven’t registered a point in their last four games. You have to think that a breakout is imminent and the Leafs may just be the team to cure their offensive woes.
There is a question as to who will start between the pipes for St. Louis on Tuesday – Ryan Miller is 0-2-0 in his last two starts overall with a 3.89 GAA and .844 save percentage. Miller is just 1-7-2 in his last 10 starts at Air Canada Center with a 3.01 GAA and has lost three straight there. Meanwhile Brian Elliot has been hot – he has won three straight starts with an incredible 0.98 GAA over that span.
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It is hard to believe that the Maple Leafs were in the conversation hot host a playoff series about 10 days ago – my how things have changed. The Leafs have lost five straight games and has six losses in their last seven games overall. Leafs nation is pointing to goaltending and defense for the recent slide. James Reimer has been in goal for all five losses and has a terrible 4.22 GAA over that span. Hopes are that Jonathan Bernier who practices Monday will be able to return to action.
Offensively Phil Kessel continues to lead the way – he is on a three-game point streak with two goals and one assist. Mason Raymond and Joffrey Lupul each have two points in two games while Jake Gardiner and Morgan Reily each have three points in four games – nothing to write home about. James van Riemsdyk is pointless in three games, David Clarkson hasn’t registered a point in three games and many of the supporting cast has gone cold.
Make no mistake about it though; it is Toronto’s inability to keep the puck out of their own net that has put them in a precarious position. The team isn’t exactly a picture of confidence right now and a date with the Blues may not be the cure.
Dave’s FREE NHL Betting Prediction
A few trends to consider:
• STL are 24-6 in their last 30 vs. Atlantic.
• Under is 12-3-2 in STL last 17 road games.
• STL are 6-2 in their last 8 road games.
• Over is 12-3-1 in TOR last 16 home games.
• TOR are 8-3 in their last 11 home games.
• STL are 7-1-1 in the last 9 meetings in Toronto.
• STL are 9-4 in the last 13 meetings.
The Leafs are reeling. The Blues on the other hand have been typically terrific the last couple of weeks going 7-2-1 in their last 10 games. St. Louis is also 23-11-3 on the road and 20-5-2 in their 27 games against the Eastern Conference this year. The Blues are a matchup nightmare for any team – they are tops in the league for a reason!
Pick: St. Louis Blues
