PREMIUM
Stephen Nover's Monday NHL Big Ticket
(NHL) San Jose vs. St. Louis,
Total: 5.00 | -105.00 Over
Result: Loss
Total: 5.00 | -105.00 Over
Result: Loss
It may appear strange to come in with an under when the teams combined to score nine goals in St. Louis' 6-3 Game 4 road victory on Saturday.
But keep several things in mind. It's very deep into the season. San Jose and St. Louis have played a lot of games. Both are off a seven-game series in their previous playoff round and now they're making the trip back to St. Louis from the West Coast after a late Saturday night game.
The first three games of this series all went under with four or less goals scored in each one. San Jose had allowed only two goals in its last four games prior to Saturday's matchup. St. Louis had scored only two goals in its past three games prior to Saturday.
The Blues were the No. 4 defensive team in the NHL this season. Ken Hitchcock knows his team must be physical and win with defense. This is especially so since the Blues could be minus star team captain David Backes. Backes and two other forwards, Robby Fabbri and Scottie Upshall, all were injured and may miss this game greatly reducing the Blues' offensive depth.
To ensure that his team plays hard defense, Hitchcock has made the choice to start Jake Allen in goal instead of Brian Elliott. It's a controversial call considering how well Elliott has played during the playoffs until the last game. I'm not going to second guess Hitchcock, though. He has one of the best minds in hockey.
The Sharks have been a strong under play on the road going 10-4-2 during their last 16 away contests. The under also is a strong 15-6-1 the past 22 times these teams have met in St. Louis.
But keep several things in mind. It's very deep into the season. San Jose and St. Louis have played a lot of games. Both are off a seven-game series in their previous playoff round and now they're making the trip back to St. Louis from the West Coast after a late Saturday night game.
The first three games of this series all went under with four or less goals scored in each one. San Jose had allowed only two goals in its last four games prior to Saturday's matchup. St. Louis had scored only two goals in its past three games prior to Saturday.
The Blues were the No. 4 defensive team in the NHL this season. Ken Hitchcock knows his team must be physical and win with defense. This is especially so since the Blues could be minus star team captain David Backes. Backes and two other forwards, Robby Fabbri and Scottie Upshall, all were injured and may miss this game greatly reducing the Blues' offensive depth.
To ensure that his team plays hard defense, Hitchcock has made the choice to start Jake Allen in goal instead of Brian Elliott. It's a controversial call considering how well Elliott has played during the playoffs until the last game. I'm not going to second guess Hitchcock, though. He has one of the best minds in hockey.
The Sharks have been a strong under play on the road going 10-4-2 during their last 16 away contests. The under also is a strong 15-6-1 the past 22 times these teams have met in St. Louis.
