7:37 pm
November 13

Blues @ Hurricanes

Who will WIN this matchup?

St. Louis Blues (8-2-2)

@ Carolina Hurricanes (10-2-0)

 

Starting Goalies:

Jordan Binnington (STL): Expected

Alex Lyon (CAR): Confirmed

 

Current odds:

St. Louis Blues: (+120)

Carolina Hurricanes: (-140)

 

• The Carolina Hurricanes haven’t been in this situation often in the opening weeks of the season. They’re trying to shake off a rough period that cost them a game. The Hurricanes have won 10 of their first 12 games for the best start in franchise history. But they failed to protect a 1-0 lead Friday night, losing at home to the Philadelphia Flyers, 2-1.

• Carolina is 5-1-0 in home games. Saturday night’s game will be its last on home ice for more than two weeks. And there’s a decision to make for Brind’Amour. Frederik Andersen has been one of the top goalies in the league this season, but the Hurricanes would rather not use him on back-to-back nights. The backup goalie is Alex Lyon, who hasn’t played an NHL game this season. He has 22 career NHL games as his background.

• The Blues have alternated wins and losses in their past eight games. If that trend continues, that means they’ll win Saturday. But cranking up a consistent offense would be preferred for the Blues. They’ve scored more than three goals just once over their past eight games.

• But the Blues didn’t protect a 2-0 lead in Thursday night’s overtime loss to Nashville. It seems to be a matter of maintaining aggressiveness. “We want to be quick,” center Jordan Kyrou said. St. Louis center Ryan O’Reilly has been back for three games since missing time because of COVID-related protocols. He doesn’t have a point in those outings, but he has averaged 18:57 of ice time per game during the past week.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Carolina Hurricanes
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