On January 18, 2025, the St. Louis Blues will face off against the Utah Hockey Club at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, UT. This matchup is crucial for both teams as they strive to improve their standings in the NHL.
Current Standings and Records
As of today, the St. Louis Blues hold a record of 22 wins, 20 losses, and 4 overtime losses (22-20-4), placing them five points ahead of the Utah Hockey Club, who have an 18-18-7 record (18 wins, 18 losses, and 7 overtime losses). The Blues have scored 129 goals while allowing 128, resulting in a goal differential of +1. In contrast, Utah has scored 109 goals but has conceded 130, leading to a goal differential of -21.
Special Teams Performance
Power Play and Penalty Kill:
- Utah Hockey Club:
- Power Play Percentage: 21.8%
- Penalty Kill Percentage: 81.6%
- St. Louis Blues:
- Power Play Percentage: 18.5%
- Penalty Kill Percentage: 74.1%
Utah’s special teams have been more effective overall, particularly in their power play efficiency, which could play a significant role in this matchup.
Shots on Goal and Goaltending
The Blues average about 30 shots on goal per game while allowing approximately 29 against them. Meanwhile, Utah averages around 27 shots on goal but allows about 31 against.Goaltending Performance:
- St. Louis Blues: Jordan Binnington with a save percentage of approximately 90.5%.
- Utah Hockey Club: Karel Vejmelka with a save percentage around 88.5%.
Binnington’s performance will be critical for the Blues to secure a win against Utah.
Home/Away Performance Analysis
- St. Louis Blues:
- Home Record: 10 wins, 10 losses, and 1 overtime loss
- Road Record: 12 wins, 10 losses, and 3 overtime losses
- Utah Hockey Club:
- Home Record: Not specified in the search results
- Road Record: Not specified in the search results
The Blues have shown resilience on the road, which could be an advantage as they face Utah.
Coaching Strategies
The Blues are currently under the guidance of Jim Montgomery, who took over mid-season after Drew Bannister’s departure. Montgomery’s experience may provide an edge in making crucial in-game adjustments.
Head-to-Head History
Recent matchups between these two teams have shown fluctuating performances. The last few games indicate that while St. Louis has had some struggles against other teams, their head-to-head performance against Utah could sway depending on individual player matchups and team strategies.
Advanced Metrics and Puck Possession
Using advanced metrics such as Corsi and Fenwick can provide insight into puck possession:
- Corsi: Measures shot attempts for vs. against.
- Fenwick: Similar to Corsi but excludes blocked shots.
These metrics can help gauge which team may control the pace of play during the game.
Rest and Schedule Considerations
Both teams are coming off recent games; however, any fatigue from travel or a condensed schedule could impact performance. The Blues’ ability to manage their energy levels will be crucial.
Strength of Schedule
Evaluating the quality of recent opponents is vital. The Blues have faced tougher competition compared to Utah’s recent matchups, which may influence their readiness for this game.
Betting Trends and Line Movement
As of now:
- Moneyline: St. Louis Blues +108 (underdog), Utah Hockey Club -127 (favorite)
- Puck Line: Set at -1.5 for Utah
- Total Points: Set at 5.5
The betting trends indicate that public sentiment may slightly favor Utah due to their home advantage.
Prediction Summary
Based on this comprehensive evaluation:
Predicted Final Score: St. Louis Blues 4 – Utah Hockey Club 2
Confidence Level in Prediction: Medium
Recommended Bet Type: Moneyline on St. Louis Blues
The reasoning behind this recommendation is based on their superior road performance and better overall goal differential compared to Utah.
Player Props or Alternative Lines: Consider betting on Jordan Binnington for over X saves given his higher save percentage compared to Vejmelka.
Key Matchups or Factors Influencing Outcome:
- The effectiveness of each team’s special teams will be pivotal.
- Goaltending performance from Binnington will likely dictate the game’s outcome.
This matchup promises to be an exciting contest as both teams vie for crucial points in their playoff push as the season progresses.
