Florida Panthers vs St. Louis Blues Betting Picks

St. Louis has split its last 12 games, including cashing as underdogs of +135, +110, and +130. The Blues are working on one day of rest, while the Panthers had to play a shootout last night. Florida's defense is 18th in goals given up (3.09 per game) and 22nd in save percentage (.894). The offense is 17th in shooting percentage and on the power play. This is Florida's third game in four days, as well as a back-to-back situational spot. Play St. Louis. 

Defending champion Florida is 16-11-1 on the road and is playing well winning seven of 10 overall. The offense is sixth in goals scored (3.27 per game) and eighth on the power play. St. Louis has a losing home mark with holes everywhere. The offense is 27th in goals scored, 26th in shooting percentage, and 23rd on the power play, while the defense is 29th in penalty killing, 17th in goals surrendered, and 18th in save percentage. The Blues have lost six of eight and have dropped four in a row as an underdog getting outscored 14-4. Play Florida.

Florida is showing that last year's run to the Stanley Cup Finals was no fluke, winning seven in a row. The defense is third in goals given up (2.51 per game) and sixth in save percentage (.913). Florida is 23-13 on the road in the second half of the season. The St. Louis offense is 26th in goals scored and 25th in shooting percentage (9.3%), while the defense is 16th in goals given up (3.13 per game). The offense has scored just nine goals over the last five games. The Blues are 16-32 at home after scoring two goals or fewer in four consecutive contests. Bet on Florida as a Max Play. 

The St. Louis Blues are a .500 team that has not had a lot of success offensively. There are signs of change as after five straight games scoring three or fewer goals the Blues have now scored four or more in three of their last four games. Florida has had a good season up to this point, but they are dealing with offensive issues of their own as the Panthers have been shutout three times in their last 12 games and have scored one or fewer goals in half of those 12 games. The Panthers defense has suffered as well allowing four or more goals in half of their last eight games. There is no doubt in the long term that Florida is the better team, but in this moment, the Blues are outplaying them. I will make the play on St. Louis.