Predators vs Blues Betting Preview: Predictions & Odds
When two defensively challenged teams meet at Enterprise Center on December 15th, bettors should expect fireworks. The Nashville Predators (12-15-4, 28 points) travel to face the St. Louis Blues (12-14-7, 31 points) in what promises to be a goal-scoring spectacle between the NHL’s 25th and 32nd-ranked defensive units.
Current Form Analysis: Contrasting Momentum
St. Louis Blues Recent Performance
The Blues enter Monday’s matchup having snapped a two-game skid with a narrow 3-2 home victory against Chicago on Friday. However, their recent sample size reveals concerning patterns—they’ve managed just five victories in their last ten outings, including a humiliating 2-7 road defeat to these same Predators on December 7th.
St. Louis holds a troubling 2-9 record when favored at odds of -120 or shorter this season, a statistic that should give bettors serious pause. Their offensive struggles are evident in their league-worst 2.55 goals per game average (30th in NHL), while their defense bleeds 3.52 goals nightly (31st in NHL).
The Blues’ special teams present mixed results: their power play converts at 18.8% (17th in league), while their penalty kill operates at 77.8% efficiency (24th overall). These numbers suggest vulnerability in crucial moments.
Nashville Predators Trajectory
Nashville arrives in St. Louis having dropped their last two road contests, most recently falling 4-2 to Colorado on Saturday. Despite this setback, the Predators showed their offensive ceiling just days ago by demolishing the Blues 7-2 at Bridgestone Arena.
The visitors average 2.74 goals per contest (26th in NHL) while matching St. Louis’s defensive futility at 3.52 goals against per game (32nd in NHL). Their power play operates at 17.3% (22nd), while their penalty kill impresses at 82.2% (10th in league).
This represents a critical statistical advantage—Nashville’s penalty kill is significantly more effective than St. Louis’s, potentially deciding close games in special teams situations.
Player Performance Spotlights
St. Louis Blues Key Contributors
Robert Thomas anchors the Blues offense with 23 points (7 goals, 16 assists), demonstrating remarkable consistency against Nashville specifically. Thomas has recorded at least one point in each of his last nine appearances against the Predators, making him a prime candidate for player prop betting.
Dylan Holloway leads St. Louis with 8 goals despite recent injury concerns. Jordan Kyrou presents another intriguing option, having found the net in five of his last six meetings with Nashville—a trend that savvy bettors should monitor closely.
In the crease, Jordan Binnington carries a 7-8-5 record with concerning numbers: 3.49 GAA and .869 save percentage. Backup Joel Hofer offers marginally better statistics at 5-6-2 with 3.10 GAA and .893 save percentage.
Nashville Predators Offensive Weapons
Ryan O’Reilly paces Nashville with 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists), establishing himself as the team’s most reliable scorer. Luke Evangelista contributes 19 assists, showcasing excellent playmaking abilities.
Steven Stamkos adds veteran scoring punch with 12 goals, while Filip Forsberg brings big-game experience. Forsberg has recorded at least one point in seven of the Predators’ last eight games against St. Louis, suggesting he elevates his performance in this rivalry.
Juuse Saros guards Nashville’s net with an 11-10-3 record, 2.99 GAA, and .897 save percentage—notably superior to St. Louis’s goaltending options.
Head-to-Head History & Betting Trends
The recent history between these Central Division rivals reveals fascinating patterns. Their December 7th encounter produced 9 total goals (Nashville winning 7-2), while the Blues had won four consecutive meetings before that.
The total has finished over in 12 of the last 16 games overall between the Predators and Blues, establishing a clear trend toward high-scoring affairs. The Under hit in 3 of their last 4 meetings, but recent form suggests that trend may reverse.
Critical Betting Angles to Consider:
- Nashville has lost five straight night games at Enterprise Center
- Home teams have won the last four Predators games overall
- Nashville is one of the least profitable underdogs this season, winning just two of 15 games
- The Blues have lost 12 of their last 13 games as favorites
- Both teams rank 7th and 8th respectively in the Central Division standings
Statistical Deep Dive: Where The Value Lies
Offensive Capabilities
Both franchises struggle offensively, combining for just 5.29 goals per game—well below league average. However, their defensive inadequacies create opportunities for opponent scoring. Each team allows an identical 3.52 goals per game, ranking them among the NHL’s five worst defensive units.
The Blues attempt 25.3 shots per game (29th) while Nashville generates 27.0 shots per contest (27th). Neither team creates significant shot volume, but conversion rates matter more in this matchup.
Special Teams Battle
This represents Nashville’s clearest advantage. While both teams score on roughly 17-19% of power play opportunities, the Predators kill penalties at 82.2% compared to St. Louis’s anemic 77.8%. In a game between struggling teams, special teams efficiency often determines outcomes.
Goaltending Comparison
Saros holds substantial advantages over both Blues netminders in GAA and save percentage. In close games between offensively challenged clubs, superior goaltending becomes magnified. Nashville’s edge between the pipes cannot be overlooked.
Betting Market Analysis
Current lines position St. Louis as -120 to -125 favorites (implied probability 54-55%), with Nashville returning +100 to +106 (implied probability 50-51%). The puck line sits at Blues -1.5, while the total hovers between 5.5 and 6.0 goals depending on the sportsbook.
Predictive models give the Blues a 53% chance of victory, suggesting this matchup is essentially a coin flip. However, market inefficiencies exist in the totals market.
Total Goals Market Opportunity
Both teams have played high-scoring hockey recently. They’ve combined to go 7-1 to the over 5.5 in their last 8 games, with both clubs struggling defensively throughout the season. Their combined goals against average of 7.04 per game suggests offensive fireworks.
Five of the Blues’ last six home games against Western Conference opponents went Under, creating a contrarian opportunity. However, Nashville’s recent offensive explosion (7 goals) and both teams’ defensive deficiencies suggest Over 5.5 offers superior value.
Expert Prediction & Best Bets
Primary Pick: Over 5.5 Goals (-110 to -128)
This recommendation stems from multiple converging factors:
- Both teams rank bottom-five in goals against per game
- Recent meetings average 5.75 goals per contest
- Neither goaltending tandem inspires confidence
- Special teams create additional scoring opportunities
- Desperation factor—both teams need points in tight division race
Value Play: Nashville Predators Moneyline (+100 to +106)
While contrarian, several factors support Nashville:
- Recent 7-2 domination demonstrates capability
- Superior goaltending with Saros
- Better penalty kill percentage
- St. Louis’s dismal 2-9 record as short favorites
- Psychological edge from previous blowout victory
Projected Final Score: Blues 4, Predators 3
Expect a tight, high-scoring affair where St. Louis’s home-ice advantage proves decisive in overtime or a shootout. However, the Over provides the strongest betting value regardless of which team prevails.
Betting Insights (Key Questions Answered)
Why are both teams struggling defensively this season?
Both franchises rank bottom-five in goals against per game (3.52 each), stemming from inconsistent goaltending and defensive breakdowns. St. Louis ranks 32nd in goals against while Nashville sits 25th, indicating systemic defensive issues rather than temporary slumps. Poor penalty kill percentages compound these problems, as both teams surrender goals during crucial moments.
What makes this game attractive for totals betting?
The combination of weak defensive metrics, below-average goaltending statistics, and recent high-scoring history creates ideal conditions for Over bets. When teams combine to allow 7.04 goals per game while recent meetings average nearly 6 goals, sportsbooks may be undervaluing the scoring potential at 5.5-6.0 total.
Should bettors fade St. Louis as favorites?
Historical data strongly suggests caution when backing St. Louis as short favorites. Their 2-9 record in such situations indicates a persistent inability to capitalize on favorable matchups. This pattern suggests either market overvaluation of the Blues or fundamental team issues that prevent them from winning expected games.
Which player props offer value in this matchup?
Robert Thomas (points), Filip Forsberg (anytime goal), and Jordan Kyrou (shots on goal) present compelling options based on historical performance against these opponents. Thomas’s nine-game point streak versus Nashville, Forsberg’s seven-game point streak against St. Louis, and Kyrou’s goal-scoring consistency all suggest profitable prop opportunities.
How important is the venue factor?
Enterprise Center typically provides St. Louis significant advantages, but Nashville’s five-game losing streak at this venue creates a potential bounce-back scenario. Home teams have won the Predators’ last four games overall, suggesting venue matters more than specific arena characteristics. The 8:00 PM ET start time favors rested teams without travel fatigue.
Betting Disclaimer: All odds and predictions are for informational purposes only. Please gamble responsibly and within your means. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER for help.
Final Recommendation: Over 5.5 Goals offers the strongest value in this Central Division matchup between two defensively challenged clubs desperate for playoff positioning.
