NHL Picks: Blues can't slow Habs' hot start, Blue Jackets keep struggling – CBSSports.com
Welcome to the NHL Daily Picks, where CBSSports.com hockey writers Chris Peters and Adam Gretz share their predictions for every game, every day.
St. Louis Blues at Montreal Canadiens, 7:30 p.m. ET
In a Tuesday slate chock-full of intriguing matchups, the best of the bunch features the NHL’s two best teams to date — the undefeated Montreal Canadiens and the 5-1 St. Louis Blues. The stage is set for the rare must-see game in October.
The Canadiens are still basking in the best start in franchise history, but it’s going to have to end sometime and under perhaps more controlled circumstances, the Blues would be a pretty good pick to end it for Montreal. These circumstances aren’t quite normal for the Blues though.
The club will be concluding its six-game road trip after opening the season on home ice. The Blues have gone 4-1-0 on their current swing through Canada, but they’re also going to be shorthanded.
Top center Paul Stastny was sent home from the team’s road trip early with a lower-body injury. Top-producing defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, who has missed the last two games, is also expected to be out of the lineup Tuesday night.
Their absence didn’t stop the club from getting past a strong Winnipeg Jets squad Sunday in a highly-physical matchup. The physicality helped, but the scoring ability of Vladimir Tarasenko helped more.
After notching 37 goals last season, Tarasenko already has five to start the young 2015-16 campaign. He looks bigger and stronger from a year ago and hasn’t lost that touch around the net. Tarasenko is hardly the only offensive weapon the Canadiens have to be concerned about. In fact, the Blues have at least one scorer on each of their first three forward lines.
The Blues, however, will have to contend with the best goaltender in the world today. Carey Price is expected to start, boasting his 5-0-0 record, .957 save percentage. Additionally Price has allowed just three even-strength goals in his five starts.
The Habs will also challenge the St. Louis defense with their excellent team speed. The top line of Max Pacioretty, Tomas Plekanec and Brendan Gallagher has been particularly deadly with 10 of the Habs’ 20 goals so far this season.
Blues goalie Jake Allen, who is expected to start Tuesday night, will be expected to slow one of the league’s better scoring teams at this early stage. The 25-year-old netminder hasn’t had the greatest start to the year as he was between the pipes for the Blues’ lone loss. He has also allowed six goals over his first two starts, posting an .887 save percentage.
Montreal has shown no signs of slowing down, either. Their incredible six-game winning streak to start the season will have to end eventually. Under regular conditions — as in not at the end of a long road trip and with a fully healthy roster — the Blues probably have a much better shot at ending that run, but we’re going to give the slight edge to the Habs to remain the NHL’s only unbeaten team. Pick: Canadiens 4, Blues 3
Carey Price has been lights out to start the season. (USATSI)
The rest of Tuesday’s picks
Arizona Coyotes 3, New Jersey Devils 1
Pittsburgh Penguins 4, Florida Panthers 2
New York Islanders 5, Columbus Blue Jackets 3
Dallas Stars 4, Philadelphia Flyers 3 (NBCSN)
Tampa Bay Lightning 3, Nashville Predators 1
Washington Capitals 3, Calgary Flames 2
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