The St. Louis Blues (3-4-1) face the Pittsburgh Penguins (6-2-1) Monday. Puck drop from PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is set for 7 p.m. ET (NHL Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Blues vs. Penguins odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
2024-25 series record: Tied 1-1
The Blues have had trouble starting games off all season, routinely falling behind and playing catch-up. Saturday, it was the opposite, as they got out to a 4-0 lead on the Detroit Red Wings and allowed 6 straight goals to fall 6-4 as -111 home favorites. They lost more than the game, though, as they lost their best player C Robert Thomas to an upper-body injury. There is no word on his status, but it’s likely he’s out Monday after leaving the bench and not returning Saturday. LW Jake Neighbours, the team’s leading scorer with 6 goals, was hobbled after taking a 98-mph shot off of his knee. He stayed in the game, but he was clearly struggling afterwards. That’s worth monitoring as they begin a back-to-back Monday.
The Pens aren’t immune to the injury bug as they lost 35-goal scorer RW Rickard Rakell for 6-8 weeks with a hand injury. The Pens fell 5-4 in a shootout to the Columbus Blue Jackets Saturday. That snapped a 4-game winning streak for the -112 home favorites. RW Bryan Rust scored his first goal of the season, and D Kris Letang scored a power-play goal for his first of the season.
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Blues at Penguins odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:26 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Blues -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Penguins +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blues -1.5 (-190) | Penguins +1.5 (-235)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Blues at Penguins projected goalies
Joel Hofer (1-1-0, 6.23 GAA, .789 SV%) vs. Tristan Jarry (3-1-0, 2.52 GAA, .921 SV%, 1 SO)
Some outlets have starter Jordan Binnington expected, but coach Jim Montgomery has already said that he’s going back to Hofer. Hofer was pulled after 7:57 of action Thursday, allowing 6 goals on 3 shots. He has allowed 10 goals on 28 shots in his last 2 starts and is clearly fighting it confidence-wise. He was in net for the 5-4 overtime winner last April, stopping 24 of 28.
Jarry is confirmed for Monday, and he has been great in his last 2 starts. He allowed 3 goals on 37 shots last time out against the defending-champion Florida Panthers Thursday. He shut out the San Jose Sharks, stopping all 31 shots last Saturday. Jarry was 1-0-1 with a 3.99 GAA and .852 SV% in 2 starts against St. Louis last year.
Blues at Penguins picks and predictions
Prediction
Penguins 5, Blues 3
I’m a little surprised the Blues are favored in this one. The Pens are off to a hot start, and they’re starting a struggling goalie and are likely without their top center. I like the PENGUINS (+100) at home, and I would act fast. Once Thomas is ruled out, these lines are likely to flip.
Give me JORDAN KYROU OVER 2.5 SHOTS (-130). He had 3 and 4 SOG against Pittsburgh last season, and the team will look to him to drive the offense. He has 2 goals in 4 games and is feelin’ it.
The Blues are 5-3 O/U this season, and Pittsburgh is 5-2-2. The Over is 7-3 in the last 10 matchups. This is an easy OVER 6 (-120), and it could hit 6.5 by puck drop.
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