Blues go for 11th Straight Win Against Maple Leafs
The hottest team in the NHL is doing it with goaltending right now. Since replacing their starter, Jake Allen, with rookie Jordan Binnington on January 7, the St. Louis Blues have won 15 of 19 games. Just one month ago, the Blues were thought to be headed to the trade deadline as sellers. They have significant assets on their roster. With their incredible streak over the past month and a half, they’ve clawed their way into third place in the Western Conference’s Central Division. Tuesday’s contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs marks a significant test for the Blues. The red-hot Blues will be vying for a franchise-best 11th straight.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, Sportsnet Ontario, TVAS: LINE: Blues -113; O/U: Under 6 -110.
The Leafs are one of the strongest offensive clubs in the NHL, scoring 3.55 goals per game. Their offensive style is sure to put the Blues’ defensive structure and hot goaltending to the test. They scored a total of 11 goals over two games against the Avalanche and Golden Knights, but may have underestimated a Coyotes team on Saturday, dropping the matchup 2-0. St. Louis will try to extend an incredible shutout streak on Tuesday, as the Blues haven’t let in a goal in over 187 minutes, which includes two shutouts by Binnington and one by Allen. Binnington has been the catalyst of the club since the New Year, so expect him to be in net against the Leafs.
This, That, and a Dart Throw
The Maple Leafs are 36-19-3 on the Season. Speedy third-line forward Andreas Johnsson participated in practice on Monday after sitting out versus the Coyotes. He sat out with an injury sustained following a knee-on-knee collision with Vegas defenseman Brayden McNabb. Coach Mike Babcock told reporters that the team has yet to discuss the availability of the 24-year-old Swede for Tuesday’s tilt, Johnsson labeled himself day-to-day. He and was pleased that the injury wasn’t a serious one. Mitch Marner, who leads the team in assists with 48, and points with 69, set up defenseman Morgan Rielly’s goal in the previous meeting with St. Louis and sits one point shy of 200 for his career.
The Blues are 32-21-5 on the season. Tarasenko earned NHL Second Star of the Week honors on Monday, one day after he collected a goal and two assists versus the Wild. That gave him 11 of each during his record point streak. The Russian pushed his point total to nine (six goals, three assists) in 10 career outings with Toronto. O’Reilly leads the team in assists with 38, and points with 60. He scored and set up a goal against Minnesota and did the same in the Blues’ previous victory over the Maple Leafs.
PREDICTION: Maple Leafs 4, Blues 2
NH Betting Odds & Trends
| Toronto Maple Leafs |
|---|
| Toronto is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games |
| Toronto is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games |
| The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto’s last 7 games |
| Toronto is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road |
| The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Toronto’s last 10 games on the road |
| Toronto is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing St. Louis |
| Toronto is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing St. Louis |
| Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against St. Louis |
| St. Louis Blues |
|---|
| St. Louis is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games |
| St. Louis is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games |
| The total has gone UNDER in 6 of St. Louis’s last 8 games |
| St. Louis is 5-11 ATS in its last 16 games at home |
| St. Louis is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home |
| The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis’s last 5 games at home |
| St. Louis is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Toronto |
| St. Louis is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto |
| St. Louis is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto |
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