New York Rangers at St. Louis Blues Betting Preview/Prop Picks

There is a loaded slate of hockey games set to take place on Thursday, including a big showdown in the city of St. Louis. The Blues will be hosting the New York Rangers, and this is a matchup of two teams that could make a deep playoff run.

New York comes into this game with 77 points on the year, and that is good enough for second place in the Metropolitan Division. The Rangers recently won three straight games but suffered a loss to Minnesota in their most recent game.

St. Louis is currently in the middle of a four-game losing streak, and this couldn’t be happening at a worse time. The Blues are still in second place in the Central Division, but there is a crowded group of teams trying to chase them down. 

The St. Louis Blues are the moneyline betting favorites at -125 for this big showdown in the NHL.

Defense Has Been Dominant For Rangers

The New York Rangers win hockey games a bit differently from the rest of the league as they take control of games with their defense. New York is allowing less than 2.5 goals per game this season, and they have a dominant goaltender setting the tone.

Igor Shesterkin has gone 28-6-3 in net so far this season for the Rangers, and he has been able to shut down some of the top teams in the league. New York has also killed off 83 percent of their penalties, which has allowed them to shut down opponents.

Artemi Panarin leads the team with 62 total points on the year, and he sets the tone of the offense. The Rangers are scoring less than three goals per game this season, but they seem to find scoring when needed. 

Blues Need to Find Offense

The St. Louis Blues come into Thursday night averaging nearly 3.5 goals per game, but that hasn’t been the case of late. St. Louis has managed to score just seven goals during this current losing streak, and this is something that has to be figured out. 

The Blues have converted on the power play nearly 26 percent of the time, but they just haven’t been able to find scoring when it’s five-on-five hockey. Jordan Kyrou leads the team with 22 goals and 53 total points, but he is going to need some help in this one. 

St. Louis has actually been a solid defensive team during this slide, and they are only allowing 2.73 goals per game. The Blues simply need to find some offense to end this slide. 

Rangers Roll Over Blues

The Rangers have been playing some great hockey over the last two months, and they are coming to St. Louis with some momentum. New York just continues to shut down opposing teams, and they should be able to do the same against a Blues team that has been struggling of late.

St. Louis has not been able to find its rhythm on offense of late, and they just aren’t a good enough defensive team to win in that style. Playing at home should give the Blues a slight advantage in this one, but it’s not going to matter with the end result. 

This is a game that St. Louis desperately needs to win, but they are going to come up short. Bet the New York Rangers -1.5 as they head into St. Louis, and they win this game by at least two goals.

Prop Picks

St. Louis (+120) UNDER 2.5 Goals

New York is allowing 2.5 goals per game on defense, which ranks No. 3 in the league. Scores have gone UNDER in seven of the Rangers’ last 11 road games.

With Dunkel predicting a Rangers victory by the score of 3-1, take the Blues (+120) to finish UNDER their Vegas team total of 2.5 goals against the Rangers.

Robert Thomas (-105) UNDER 0.5 Points

Thomas has 42 points on the season, which is tied for No. 77 in the league. In wins, the St. Louis center has 27 points in 27 games with a +/- of 19. In losses, he has 15 points in 22 games with a +/- of -15.

With Dunkel predicting New York victory while holding the Blues UNDER their team total, take Thomas (-105) to finish UNDER his total of 0.5 points against the Rangers.

Keep up with your latest NHL news coverage and betting pick previews at The Dunkel Index.