Ottawa Senators vs St. Louis Blues NHL Betting Preview and Prediction
Game Overview
The Ottawa Senators (19-16-2, 9-10-1 away) travel to face the St. Louis Blues (18-17-4, 7-9-1 home) in what promises to be an exciting NHL matchup on January 3, 2025. The game will take place at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO, with puck drop set for 6:00 PM ET. Both teams are battling for a playoff push and will look to build momentum with a win.
Betting Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Total | Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa Senators | -115 | Over 5.5 (-125) | -1.5 (+210) |
| St. Louis Blues | -105 | Under 5.5 (+105) | +1.5 (-300) |
The total for this game is set at 5.5, and given both teams' recent form and defensive inconsistencies, the over presents a strong value play.
Team Analysis
Ottawa Senators
Led by Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk, the Senators are averaging 3.06 goals per game while allowing 2.83. Their power play is among the league's best, converting at a 25% rate. However, Ottawa has struggled with goaltending recently, as starter Linus Ullmark is sidelined, leaving the netminding duties to Anton Forsberg and Leevi Merilainen, both of whom have save percentages below .900 in recent games.
In their last matchup against St. Louis on October 29, Ottawa exploded for an 8-1 victory, showcasing their offensive firepower. Expect the Senators to lean heavily on their top-six forwards in a game that could turn into a shootout.
St. Louis Blues
The Blues, led by Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas, are averaging 2.69 goals per game but have defensive issues, allowing 3.00 goals per game. Jordan Binnington and Joel Hofer have been inconsistent in net, with both sporting subpar goals-against averages. Their penalty kill has also been a weak spot, operating at just 73.5%, which could be exploited by Ottawa’s dangerous power play.
St. Louis is coming off a 6-2 win over Chicago, where their offense showed flashes of its potential. However, their defense remains suspect, and they’ll need to tighten up against Ottawa’s high-powered attack.
Recent Performance
Ottawa Senators
- 12/29/24: Defeated Minnesota 3-1
- 12/28/24: Lost to Winnipeg 4-2
- 12/22/24: Lost to Edmonton 3-1
- 12/21/24: Defeated Vancouver 5-4 (OT)
- 12/19/24: Defeated Calgary 3-2 (OT)
St. Louis Blues
- 12/31/24: Defeated Chicago 6-2
- 12/29/24: Lost to Buffalo 4-2
- 12/27/24: Defeated Nashville 7-4
- 12/23/24: Defeated Detroit 4-0
- 12/20/24: Lost to Florida 2-1 (OT)
Head-to-Head Matchup
In their first meeting this season, Ottawa dismantled St. Louis 8-1, dominating in every facet of the game. The Senators’ speed and puck movement were too much for the Blues to handle, and St. Louis will need to make significant adjustments to avoid another blowout.
Betting Trends
- The over has hit in four of Ottawa’s last six games.
- The over has hit in three of St. Louis’ last five games.
- Ottawa is 7-3 in their last 10 games against St. Louis.
- The last meeting between these teams produced nine total goals.
Prediction
This game has all the makings of a high-scoring affair. Both teams boast potent offenses but struggle defensively, with inconsistent goaltending and penalty-killing units. With Ottawa missing Linus Ullmark and St. Louis struggling to contain speedy teams, expect a back-and-forth contest with plenty of scoring opportunities. The over 5.5 total goals is the best play for this matchup.
