Welcome to another installment of NHL Predictions! There are nine games on the schedule today. As always, Last Word On Hockey takes you around the league to watch the day’s games. We highlight key matchups and give our prediction. Of course, no prediction is complete without looking at prop bets. Our prediction today takes us to the state of Nevada, where the Vegas Golden Knights are hosting the St. Louis Blues.
NHL Predictions
St. Louis Blues vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Time: 6:00 P.M. Eastern Time
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Midwest, Scripps Vegas
Head-to-Head: 1-0 Vegas
The two teams met in the first week of the season. The Golden Knights were victorious on home ice, beating the Blues by a score of 4-3. The two teams will conclude their season series this week. After Monday’s game in Vegas, the teams will meet again in St. Louis on Thursday. Unless the two teams meet in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Thursday will be the last matchup of the season between the Blues and Knights.
For the Blues, the Third Time is Not the Charm
The Blues lost their last game on Saturday night. Furthermore, they once again failed to extend a winning streak to three. This has been a constant this season. The Blue Note will win two in a row but cannot pick up a third consecutive victory. The team’s inconsistency to string multiple wins together is something head coach Jim Montgomery noted after the loss Saturday:
“[I’m] just disappointed,“ Montgomery said. “It’s a ‘we‘ thing. It’s myself included with the players and the rest of the coaching staff and not doing a good enough job of consistently being ready to play hard and the details needed to succeed in this league consistently.”
The first step in fixing a problem is acknowledging it exists. Montgomery has acknowledged the team’s struggles to win consistently. Furthermore, he even offers ways for the team to improve its preparation. However, it does not matter if the Blue Note cannot produce results on the ice. We are at the point of the season where points matter greatly. Any loss, whether in regulation or in overtime/shootout, is a point that can prevent the Blues from reaching the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Knights in Tight Division Race
Despite it being just the eighth season of existence for the Golden Knights, they are seeking their third Stanley Cup Final appearance and second championship. Vegas is undoubtedly showing they may accomplish both this season. However, the reigning Western Conference Champions, the Edmonton Oilers, want to take the division title for themselves. Currently, both teams have the same number of wins, losses, overtime/shootout losses, and points. However, the Knights own the tiebreaker because they have more regulation wins than the Oilers.
The Golden Knights are on a three-game losing streak. Each game has been close, but the Knights have been unable to grab the win. The Knights will return to the win column as they continue their push for the division title and the playoffs.
Prediction
The Golden Knights may be on a losing streak, but the games have been close. The Blues have played in some close games this past week and, like Vegas, are coming off a loss on Saturday. Which team gets back in the win column on Monday? The Golden Knights find a way to beat the Blues. We expect a close game, but unlike the last three games, Vegas takes the two points.
Golden Knights win, 5-3.
Prop Bets
The over/under is set at 5.5 goals. We are taking over with eight total goals.
Tomas Hertl scored two goals in Vegas’s last game. We are choosing him as an anytime scorer for the Golden Knights. For the Blues, we are choosing Jordan Kyrou. Furthermore, Hertl and Kyrou may find the back of the net more than once.
Main photo by: Stephen R.Sylvanie-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: January 20th With St. Louis Blues Vs. Vegas Golden Knights appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.