Blues vs Blackhawks Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Recipe For a Low-Scoring Game

We have a Central Division tilt with the fifth-place Chicago Blackhawks hosting the eighth-place St. Louis Blues. There have now been six or fewer total goals scored in five straight meetings between these two clubs.

Will this game feature another low-scoring affair, or can the goal-scoring pick up this time around? Find out in our free NHL picks and predictions for Blues vs Blackhawks on Wednesday, November 16.

Blues vs Blackhawks best odds

Blues vs Blackhawks picks and predictions

Low-scoring contests have been a trend for each of these teams recently, as there have been six or fewer total goals scored in four of St. Louis’ last five games and in six straight for Chicago. Both trends should continue on Wednesday night’s first TNT game.

First of all, both offenses have been terrible as they each rank in the Bottom 3 in the league in goals for per 60 minutes (GF/60) at 5v5. Positive regression should not be an issue as the Blues rank just 18th in the league in xGF/60 while the Hawks rank 31st.

To be as blunt as possible, the Blackhawks offense is terrible. Their roster is constructed like that of a tanking organization — precisely what they are attempting in an effort to get Connor Bedard in next year’s draft.

That is the reason they traded every valuable offensive piece over the offseason outside of Patrick Kane, who is likely to get dealt prior to this season’s trade deadline. They have now scored three or fewer goals in eight straight games, a trend that is likely to continue as goaltender Jordan Binnington is projected to take the crease for the Blues.

While the start of Binnington’s season has been a bit erratic and inconsistent, he has started to settle in recently. Over his last four starts, he is 3-1 with a .933 SV% and 2.54 GAA.

There have been fewer than six total goals scored in three of those four contests. Additionally, Binnington ranks in the top half of the league among starting goaltenders in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60) at 5v5.

This strong play should continue against Chicago, a team he has dominated over the past couple of seasons. Across his last three starts against the Hawks, Binnington is 2-0-1 with a .963 SV%, 0.99 GAA, and two shutouts. 

The Under hit in all three of those contests, a trend that should continue against a Blackhawks team that plays at a slow pace and typically struggles to find the back of the net.

My best bet: Under 6 (+102 at BetRivers)

Blues vs Blackhawks moneyline analysis

I would lean towards taking the Blues in this contest, but there is little value on that side. NHL odds have them currently laying -165 on the moneyline at DraftKings, which is too much juice for my liking.

If you want to avoid the juice, you could take the puck line of -1.5 at +160, although there is not enough risk/reward on that line considering this is a road game against a divisional opponent on national television. St. Louis has started to turn its season around recently with three straight wins (including a road win in Colorado last time out) and should theoretically win a game in which it has the better offense, defense, and goaltender.

However, the line is over-inflated relative to those facts, especially in a spot against a divisional rival on the road. If this line were to drop to -150 or lower, that would be a great spot to get in at, although that drop is unlikely.

Blues vs Blackhawks Over/Under analysis

The only concern about the Under is that both defenses are almost as putrid as the offenses. At 5v5 this season, both teams rank in the bottom half of the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).

With injuries to defensemen Marco Scandella, Robert Bortuzzo, and Scott Perunovich, the Blues’ blue line has been dangerously thin all season and the repercussions have been felt. On the flip side, the Hawks are also missing Seth Jones on the back end, although that defense is terrible with or without him.

Despite these poor defenses, the offenses are even worse as St. Louis ranks 18th in the league in xGF/60 at 5v5 while Chicago ranks 31st. These ineffective offenses should counteract the porous defenses.

Blues vs Blackhawks betting trend to know

There have been six or fewer total goals scored in each of the last five meetings between these two clubs. Find more NHL betting trends for Blues vs Blackhawks.

Blues vs Blackhawks game info

Blues vs Blackhawks key injuries

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