The Anaheim Ducks are clinging to playoff hope in the West as they head into St. Louis Thursday to take on the Blues
The Blues are 4-0-1 their last five home games vs. the Ducks, outscoring Anaheim 27-13
Anaheim’s win against Edmonton Monday positions the Ducks six points back from San Jose in the conference standings but there is a three-team gridlock at 74 points and two of the clubs have at least one game at hand.
It doesn’t leave a lot of wiggle room for Anaheim and tonight marks the first of 11-straight games they’ll play against teams ranked ahead of them in the standings.
Defensively, it’s been a tale of two seasons for Bruce Boudreau and the Ducks, who have allowed just a little more than two goals per game since Jan. 1. Monday’s 4-2 win was only their third “Over” in 17 games but they’ll be facing a Blues team that leads the league in fewest goals against (132).
ISN’T THAT SPECIAL
St. Louis has been nearly unbeatable at Scottrade Center this season going 27-4-4 and overall, not one of their past seven opponents has managed more than two goals.
Part of that success stems from a penalty kill unit that ranks ninth in the league (83.5-percent), and has not allowed a power play goal in 11-straight games (32 for 32). Columbus was the last team to strike when James Wisniewski found the twine with one second remaining in the first period of a 2-1 Jackets win on Valentine’s Day.
NHL PICKS
The Ducks power play is 15th overall (16.7-percent) but they’ve connected just once in the past four games (1 for 12) and we’d be surprised if the Blues give them many chances. Each of these teams rank top 10 in overall penalty minutes but the majority of those come from fighting majors. The Ducks are sixth in that category with 41 and St. Louis (35) sits 10th.
Jonas Hiller is confirmed against Jaroslav Halak and both goalies have winning records against their opponent. NHL odds for tonight’s game are listed at Blues (-170, 5 OV -110) and we expect goals to be at a premium.
Pick: Take the Under
Check all of today’s NHL Odds