Welcome back to NHL Predictions here at Last Word On Hockey, where we provide analysis, insights, and predictions for upcoming NHL games. Tonight, the Carolina Hurricanes make their lone regular season trip to St. Louis to take on the struggling Blues.
NHL Predictions: Carolina Hurricanes vs St. Louis Blues
Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
How to Watch TV: ESPN+, HULU
2024-2025 Season Series: 1-1-0
2025-2026 Season Series: 0-0-0
St. Louis returns home tonight after a three—game road trip that did not go how they wanted. It started with a large defeat at the hands of their bitter rival in Chicago, and then followed that up with back-to-back regulation losses in Utah and Vegas. Instead of taking six points and jumping the Mammoth and Blackhawks in the standings, the Blues return home five points from being the last place team in the National Hockey League.
Meanwhile, the Hurricanes faced off against the Detroit Red Wings last night for first place in the Eastern Conference. Carolina came away from that with a 4-3 overtime loss. At the moment, only the resurging New York Islanders look as if they could catch the Hurricanes in the standings. Since signing head coach Rod Brind’Amour in 2018, the Hurricanes have the third most wins and points for a team (600!). They also won three consecutive regular season division titles. Once the Stanley Cup Playoffs start , the regular season no longer matters and Carolina probably knows that better than most…
Not that long ago, the Hurricanes and Blues were almost mirror images of each other. Both teams were incredibly deep and fairly successful without having huge star-power on the roster. Goaltending has really been the only key difference between these two in the last seven or eight years. St. Louis found their franchise goalie in Jordan Binnington, riding him from first NHL game to Stanley Cup Champion in 2019. Carolina, meanwhile, seemed to always adopt a tandem approach, which included the likes of Petr Mrazek, Frederik Andersen, and Antti Raanta. The similarities run deeper than just this of course, yet somehow St. Louis is the only one with a cup in that time.
Coasting Carolina?
Not only are the Hurricanes leading their division, they are currently the fourth best team in the NHL. Now, you may be thinking “Well of course they are. There are only four divisions and they are leading one of them.” Sure, that’s true. But the three teams ahead of them in the standings are not only all in the Western Conference but all are from the Central Division…
Carolina enters tonight the less rested team having played in Detroit 24 hours ago. In the clash of heavyweights, Detroit rode the momentum of their pregame jersey retirement for franchise legend Sergei Fedorov. Detroit rode that momentum to a three goal lead all the way to the third period. Carolina finally got through and answered back with three of their own, sending what looked to be a sure loss to overtime. Sebastian Aho led his team with two assists in the third period. If this game is an indicator of what a playoff series could look like, many fans in the NHL are eager to see how it plays out.
This year’s goaltending tandem for Carolina was scheduled to split the load between Andersen consistent starter Pyotr Kochetkov. Unfortunately, this only lasted nine games as Kochetkov sustained a season ending surgery. This injury opened the way for undrafted Brandon Bussi. Bussi came into the league and instantly set a record, becoming the first goalie in NHL history to win 10 of his first 11 games. He now looks to be Carolina’s new number one netminder.
Blues Hall of Fame
Back in 2023, the franchise known for having one of the most loyal alumni populations, launched their own Hall of Fame. It started with franchise legends such as Brett Hull, Al MacInnis and 12 other members being the pioneers. Since then, the Blues induct three new members every January. This year, the franchise is proudly selected an original member of the 1967 squad in Al Arbour. Also, the only rookie to ever win the Calder Trophy for the St. Louis in Barret Jackman. Finally, former player now next Blues general manager in Alexander Steen.
One Blues player not watching the Hall of Fame pregame ceremony from ice level will be Philip Broberg. Early into the game against Vegas on Saturday, Broberg took a hit from Mark Stone and struggled getting off of the ice. St. Louis played with only five blue liners for more than 75% of the game. Blues head coach Jim Montgomery updated the media yesterday by saying Broberg is “doing well but is considered day-to-day in the concussion protocol.”
Broberg’s injury comes at an incredibly inopportune time for St. Louis. Defence has clearly been the struggle this year for the Blues and depth was already an issue. Matt Kessel is the most likely player to slot into that open roster spot. His injury also comes as names like Justin Faulk and even Colton Parayko are surfacing in the trade rumour department…
Prediction:
Maybe the Blues Hall of Fame induction will be the catalyst they need to get their offence going. Former Head coach Ken Hitchcock had a philosophy that three goals were needed to win a hockey game and the rest came from sound defensive play. Looking at the Blues past three games, the opposition clearly took that to heart. They scored a minimum of four goals in each of those games. Unfortunately, this trend for St. Louis is likely to continue, especially with the injury to Broberg.
Prediction: Hurricanes win 3-2 (OT).
Prop Bets:
The over/under for this intraconference matchup is a high 6.5. With 5 total goals, we are going with the under at -130.
As for goal scorers tonight, we think future Blues Hall of Famer Colton Parayko will snag his first goal at +1000! For the Hurricanes, we think Aho is going to turn his helpers into a goal will get so we are taking him at +180.
Main Photo: James Guillory-Imagn Images
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