St. Louis Blues (26-21-2) vs. Montreal Canadiens (21-21-8)
As the NHL regular season unfolds, a captivating matchup is set to take place at the Bell Centre on Sunday, between the St. Louis Blues and the Montreal Canadiens. This game not only presents a critical juncture for both teams as they aim to bolster their playoff aspirations but also offers a multitude of betting opportunities, courtesy of the best bookie software platforms.
The Blues offense features balanced scoring led by center Robert Thomas’s 21 goals and 47 assists. His 68 points lead the team, and his playmaking could challenge a Canadiens defense that has been inconsistent. Winger Pavel Buchnevich adds a scoring punch with 23 goals while Jordan Kyrou paces the Blues with 30 tallies. If St. Louis can leverage that scoring depth, it could prove the difference.
The Canadiens have won four straight thanks to increased production from their young forwards like center Nick Suzuki (45 points) and winger Cole Caufield (17 goals). Adding that scoring to a defensive core led by Mike Matheson’s 36 points has Montreal rolling. However, their challenge will be solving All-Star goalie Jordan Binnington and his 2.92 GAA.
St. Louis Blues vs. Montreal Canadiens Game Info
| When: | Sunday, February 11, 2024 at 1:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Bell Centre |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Goaltender Jordan Binnington vs. Goaltender Sam Montembeault
Blues netminder Jordan Binnington comes into this matchup with a 2.92 goals against average and a .908 save percentage in 35 games played this season. He’s faced a heavy workload, seeing over 1,900 minutes of ice time. Binnington has made 955 saves while allowing 97 goals. He’s also posted a solid 7-8 record in shootouts. If Binnington can come up with some timely, momentum-saving stops and rely on his defense led by Robert Bortuzzo to clear rebounds, the Blues should feel comfortable locking down another close game just like their recent 2-1 overtime win against Calgary.
The Canadiens counter Sam Montembeault, who has posted a 3.06 GAA and .907 save percentage across his 24 appearances. In his nearly 1,500 minutes in the crease this season, Montembeault has turned away 712 of the 785 shots he’s faced. He’s shown potential by collecting wins against top teams like Toronto and Edmonton this year. However, he will have to weather an early push from the NHL’s Blues offense. If Montembeault wavers early against that offensive talent, the Canadiens could end up playing catch up all game long. They’ll need the young goalie to stand tall early and have their defensive to protect the net while Montembeault resets after an initial flurry from St. Louis.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
As the betting odds for this game remain to be determined, bettors are advised to keep an eye on updates as game day approaches. The performance trends and head-to-head statistics suggest a closely contested battle, which will likely reflect in the odds once they are released.
St. Louis Blues Betting Trends
The Blues are just 2-3 straight up in their last five contests, but have fared better against the spread by going 3-2. They have been streaky away from home, posting a 12-12 road record ATS this season. The totals have stayed UNDER in four of five St. Louis games, but have gone OVER 12 times in 25 road matchups.
Montreal Canadiens Betting Trends
The Canadiens have won four straight games to get back to .500 on the year. They have also covered the spread in five consecutive outings, rewarding bettors backing the hot team. Montreal has been especially strong on home ice, earning covers in 17 of 25 games at the Bell Centre. The OVER has hit in 14 of those 25 home contests as well.
St. Louis Blues vs. Montreal Canadiens 2/11/24 Betting Picks
Considering the statistical analysis and team trends, this matchup presents a compelling case for a tightly contested game. The Blues’ offensive capabilities, led by their key players, matched against the Canadiens’ recent form and defensive resilience, sets the stage for an exciting clash.
In terms of hockey expert picks, while the odds are yet to be determined, the Canadiens’ strong performance against the spread and their home advantage could make them a valuable pick. However, the Blues’ ability to perform in road games and their potent offense should not be underestimated.
