The St. Louis Blues are set to face off against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, on February 11, 2024. This NHL match is scheduled to start at 1:00 PM and will be broadcast on NHL Power Play and ESPN+. With both teams looking to improve their standings, this game promises to be an exciting showdown.
The St. Louis Blues, with a record of 27 wins, 21 losses, and 2 overtime losses, and an away record of 12-12-1, are coming into this game with mixed results from their recent outings. The Blues have shown resilience and capability, especially in their last five games, with victories in tight overtime matches against Los Angeles, Seattle, Vancouver, and Calgary, but fell short in a narrow 1-0 loss to Columbus.
Robert Thomas has been a standout player for the Blues this season, amassing 53 points with 17 goals and 36 assists, leading the team in scoring. In the goaltender department, Jordan Binnington and Joel Hofer have been sharing duties, with Binnington recording 17 wins.
The Montreal Canadiens, on the other hand, hold a record of 21 wins, 22 losses, and 8 overtime losses, with a home record of 10-13-3. The Canadiens have had a turbulent run in their recent matches, securing a significant 5-2 win against Washington but facing defeats against Pittsburgh, Ottawa, and Boston, alongside a victory over the New York Islanders.
Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield have been pivotal for the Canadiens, with Suzuki contributing 47 points through 16 goals and 31 assists, and Caufield matching Thomas’s 17 goals, including 7 on the power play. In goal, Samuel Montembeault has been the more successful option for Montreal, earning 12 wins this season.
Looking at the team stats, the Blues have been slightly better offensively, averaging 2.84 goals per game compared to the Canadiens’ 2.74. However, defensively, both teams have their vulnerabilities, with the Blues allowing an average of 3.10 goals per game and the Canadiens 3.46.
Given the recent performances and statistical analysis, this match could tilt in favor of the St. Louis Blues, primarily due to their slightly superior offensive play and resilience in close matches. However, the Canadiens’ fighting spirit, especially demonstrated in their recent win against Washington, should not be underestimated. Predicting a close encounter, the scoreline might end up around 3-2 in favor of the Blues.
