Betting Preview: Will Injured Golden Knights Ruin Blues’ Rhythm?

Blues Betting Preview

The Blues are the NHL’s leader in goals per game, averaging six per contest through their first two games. While that pace is rather unsustainable, especially against a good defensive team like Vegas, it has caused a shift in St. Louis’ sportsbook odds to win the division. As of writing, the Blues are +1000 to win the Central.

Jordan Kyrou, who started to emerge as a top-six forward last season, scored two goals and two assists against the Coyotes, bringing his season point total to six through two games.

“I want to be an impact player,” Kyrou said. “Help my team win. Whatever I can do out there.”

“Elite skill,” Blues forward Tyler Bozak added about Kyrou. “Something we get to see in practice every day in practice. He can do a lot of amazing things with the puck and find ways to score and make something out of nothing. We’re lucky to have him.”

Jordan Binnington is expected to make his third start of the season. So far, Binnington is 2-0-0 with a 3.50 GAA and a .879 save percentage. He’ll need to improve on those numbers against Vegas.

Pavel Puchnevich will miss Wednesday’s game while serving a suspension for headbutting Arizona forward Lawson Crouse.

Golden Knights Betting Preview

Vegas’ NHL futures odds to win the Pacific Division took a hit when the club announced Mark Stone will miss several games with a lower-body injury (which will not require surgery) and Max Pacioretty will miss six weeks after suffering a lower-body injury of his own against the Los Angeles Kings.

The Golden Knights trailed 3-1 when Stone was injured, and the wheels fell off after that. Los Angeles scored six goals before Vegas answered, resulting in a 6-2 final.

“I wouldn’t put this on the defense. I would put on the whole team,” Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner said. “That’s the worst game I’ve seen since I got here. Opening night for them doesn’t really matter. For the second game of the season, this should be a red flag for us, and we have five days to look at this and fix it.”

Lehner is likely to start again on Wednesday. This season, he has a 1-1-0 record, a 4.21 GAA, and a .887 save percentage.

Beyond Stone and Pacioretty, Vegas is already down Alex Tuch, who will be out until at least January after shoulder surgery. Jake Bischoff, Nicolas Roy, and Brett Howden are all on IR with undisclosed conditions, William Carrier is day-to-day with a concussion, and Mattias Janmark is in COVID-19 protocols.

On to the Pick

Though there’s a slim schedule selection for NHL fans who want to bet online on Wednesday, Blues-Golden Knights should still be an entertaining contest and a good benchmark for both teams early in the season. Given that both clubs are playoff hopefuls, dealing with early-season adversity should only make them stronger.

Due to all of Vegas’ injuries, the play here is to take St. Louis on the moneyline. Bank on the Blues to move to 3-0-0 and tie for the lead in the Central Division.

Pick: St. Louis Blues Moneyline (+110)