Ducks vs Blues

Given the Ducks’ superior overall record and top-of-division status, grabbing them as a road underdog at +135 against a Blues team that’s still below .500 feels like the right side of the number, even with St. Louis riding a modest two-game heater at home behind Jordan Binnington’s improved form. The Blues’ recent win over Anaheim in this building leaned heavily on early offensive bursts from Robert Thomas and a depth scoring wave, but with Torey Krug still out and the blue line relying on heavy minutes from Faulk and Fowler, Anaheim’s transition game through McTavish, Leo Carlsson and Troy Terry should generate enough quality looks to punish any sloppy exits. Anaheim’s current form is choppy (alternating wins and losses and coming off that setback in Chicago), yet their five-on-five play-driving has generally outpaced St. Louis this year, and the Ducks’ forward depth is less affected by injuries than earlier in the season, while the Blues still lack some puck-moving punch from the back end. Add in that the price bakes in a strong home-ice premium for a team that recently went through a rough Eastern road swing, and I’m willing to fade the favorite and take Anaheim on the moneyline at +135 with a grade of B for solid value but some volatility given St. Louis’ home push and special-teams edge. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 01/12/2025 09:31am

The total sitting at 6 with the Over juiced to -120 looks slightly shaded toward the offensive side, but I still lean Over given Anaheim’s recent run of high-event games (scores of 5-4, 4-5, 4-3 and 3-5 in their last few outings) and St. Louis’ demonstrated ability to explode against this specific opponent, as that earlier 6-2 home blowout illustrated. While the Blues’ last outing was a tight 1-0 win over Utah, that game owed as much to the Mammoth’s injury issues as to any structural defensive lockdown, and this projected matchup against a deeper Ducks forward group should produce more rush chances and slot looks on both ends. The injuries impacting Anaheim are mostly in the depth ranks now, leaving their top six intact, and with the Blues still missing Krug’s puck-moving and power-play quarterbacking but getting strong offensive contributions from Thomas, Kyrou and Buchnevich, this has the feel of a game where both sides can reach three goals via special teams and odd-man rushes alone. Factor in Anaheim’s occasionally leaky defensive-zone coverage in front of Lukas Dostal and the Blues’ tendency to trade chances at home when they push for offense, and I’ll play Over 6 at -120 with a grade of B-, acknowledging some risk if Binnington steals the show or if St. Louis’ recent emphasis on structure drags pace down. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 01/12/2025 09:31am

With the market making St. Louis a fairly heavy favorite, the Ducks catching +1.5 on the puckline at -195 is my preferred way to back Anaheim in what profiles as a tight, playoff-style Western matchup where both recent form and roster health suggest a one-goal margin is more likely than another blowout. The Blues’ current two-game winning streak at Enterprise Center has featured improved team defense and strong goaltending, but their offense outside the earlier 6-2 rout of Anaheim has often relied on top-line bursts from Thomas and Kyrou rather than sustained depth pressure, while the Ducks can roll three credible scoring lines even with a few depth injuries. Anaheim’s road results have included several one-goal decisions, and their ability to push back after rough starts has improved under the current coaching staff, making it harder for St. Louis to run away even if they grab an early lead. Considering the combination of the Ducks’ overall record edge, relatively intact core, and the likelihood that Binnington faces a heavy volume of quality shots, I’m comfortable grading Ducks +1.5 at -195 as an A- pick: it’s expensive but carries a high probability of cashing, especially for bettors looking to reduce variance or pair it in parlays. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 01/12/2025 09:31am