Note goalie wades into hostile territory
So far, Jake Allen’s first season as the Blues’ undisputed No. 1 netminder has not gone according to plan. But can he reverse the tide vs. the Kings tonight?
The two squads drop the puck, West Coast-style, at 10:30 p.m. ET. Online sports book Bovada.lv gives Darryl Sutter’s crew odds of -140 to emerge victorious. Conversely, St. Louis enters Staples Center as a +120 underdog.
Bet on This Evening’s NHL Games
On Tuesday, Allen was yanked by coach Ken Hitchcock after allowing three goals on 11 shots in the first period of the Note’s 5-3 loss to the Bruins. It was the latest in a monthlong line of missteps for the New Brunswick native. In his past 10 starts, Allen holds a 3-7-0 mark with a 3.42 GAA and .886 save percentage.
He’ll try to find his groove against the vulnerable Kings. Jeff Carter’s heroics aside, Los Angeles is downright horrendous from an offensive standpoint. The 32-year-old forward’s 22 goals account for 22 percent of the team’s total of 101. Among all Western Conference outfits, only Arizona 82 and Colorado 79 have notched fewer tallies.
NHL Quick Links: Free Matchup Reports | Injuries | Odds Comparison | Scoreboard | Betting Trends
Despite such misgivings, Sutter’s troops do own a 12-6-1 record at home. Yet the Blues should take on a renewed sense of purpose following that Boston defeat. Bank on a tight one all the way through.
THURSDAY NHL FREE PICK: BLUES +1.5