The St. Louis Blues head to the desert to face off against the Vegas Golden Knights in a matchup that’s shaping up to be a must-watch battle. Here’s our preview, which includes a prediction, using the best NHL odds from the top sportsbooks.
NHL Pick: Over 6 (-105) at Bet365 (check our Bet365 Review)
Blues vs. Golden Knights
Friday, October 11, 2024 – 10:00 PM ET at T-Mobile Arena
KYROU SPARKS BLUES’ RALLY IN SEATTLE
Jordan Kyrou’s quick scoring flurry late in the second period propelled the St. Louis Blues to a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over the Seattle Kraken in their season opener on Tuesday night. Down 2-0 early, Kyrou’s rapid-fire pair of goals in a 1:55 span flipped the game in favor of the Blues.
Philip Broberg also chipped in a goal for St. Louis during the explosive burst, as the Blues turned a slow start into a surprising lead within two minutes. The momentum swing was fueled by Justin Faulk, who assisted on the first two goals, while Robert Thomas, Dylan Holloway, and Alexandre Texier each contributed a helper of their own. Jordan Binnington locked down the crease, recording 30 saves to secure the victory.
Kyrou, St. Louis’ top goal-scorer from last season with 31 tallies, appears to be heating up faster this year. Last season, it took him a couple of games to register his first goal and several more to get his second. Against Seattle, his game-winner came just 20 seconds after the equalizer, as he broke free on the right wing and snapped a shot past Philipp Grubauer to complete the comeback.
Despite a sluggish first period that saw Grubauer stop all 13 of St. Louis’ shots, the Blues found their groove during the critical 1:55 stretch, scoring on three of their next four attempts. Even with the Blues’ burst, Seattle outshot them 32-25 in the contest, highlighting Binnington’s importance in securing the win.
VEGAS THRASHES COLORADO
The Vegas Golden Knights opened their season in emphatic fashion, steamrolling the Colorado Avalanche 8-4 on Wednesday night. The offense was led by two-goal efforts from Ivan Barbashev, Mark Stone, and Victor Olofsson, as the Knights’ relentless pressure overwhelmed the Avalanche defense.
Barbashev’s contributions extended beyond scoring, as he also added two assists, complementing the playmaking of linemate Jack Eichel, who tallied four assists. Shea Theodore was also a catalyst, dishing out three assists from the blue line. In net, Adin Hill made 28 saves to backstop the win.
Vegas head coach Bruce Cassidy’s focus on establishing chemistry between line pairs during training camp paid off, with the Barbashev-Stone-Eichel combination clicking for a combined 10 points. After falling behind early, Olofsson’s precision shot from a sharp angle sparked the offensive onslaught, and the Knights never let up.
KEYS TO THE GAME
Both teams are coming in hot, fresh off impressive offensive performances. For St. Louis, the key will be Kyrou’s dynamic playmaking and ability to find space, which makes him a constant threat. He’ll need to replicate his clutch scoring against a Vegas defense that has shown cracks, as evidenced by the four goals they surrendered to Colorado.
Broberg’s performance could also be pivotal for the Blues. His timely scoring against Seattle showed his potential to step up in big moments, adding a layer of unpredictability to the Blues’ attack.
Vegas, meanwhile, will lean heavily on the chemistry and firepower of their top line. Barbashev’s scoring touch, combined with Eichel’s playmaking and Stone’s finishing ability, could pose a serious challenge for a Blues defense that struggled at times to contain Seattle’s offense. Eichel’s knack for threading passes through tight spaces will test St. Louis’s defensive structure and could open up lanes for his linemates.
Goaltending will be a deciding factor. Binnington, coming off a solid 30-save performance, will have to be sharp against a Vegas team that isn’t shy about peppering the net from all angles. On the other end, Hill will look to bounce back and tighten up his game after allowing four goals in the opener.
THE PICK
St. Louis will try to play a disciplined game, capitalizing on opportunities when Vegas’ top line is off the ice. Expect them to focus on minimizing turnovers and creating chances off the rush. The Golden Knights, by contrast, will aim to push the tempo and use their depth to wear down the Blues’ defense.
Ultimately, this matchup could hinge on special teams and execution in clutch moments. If Kyrou and the Blues can replicate their quick-strike scoring, they’ll have a shot to outmaneuver Vegas. However, if the Barbashev-Eichel-Stone trio continues their red-hot start, the Golden Knights might just have enough firepower to edge out St. Louis in what could be a high-scoring affair.
NHL Pick: Over 6 (-105) at Bet365
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