Blues vs Jets Odds
| Blues Odds | +150 |
| Jets Odds | -180 |
| Over / Under | 6.5 -110 / -110 |
The Jets have struggled to a 2-3-0 record out of the gates, despite what most observers would consider encouraging play. A tough schedule has been a key reason for the modest results, but that excuse will not hold Tuesday when they take the ice as favorites against the Blues.
St. Louis Blues
The Blues finished the 2022-23 season with only 81 points and are running back mainly the same roster. As a result, they entered the season as heavy underdogs to make the playoffs. Even after a strong 2-1-1 start, St. Louis is still priced at +165 to sneak in.
St. Louis allowed a fifth-worst goals against average of 3.67 goals against per game last season and isn't likely to improve upon that too much. The defensive core could benefit from improved health, but is still offering the same key pieces. The totality of its roster should not allow high possession rates.
The Blues own a 43.88% expected goals rating in their opening four games and have generated only 2.57 expected goals for per game. They have outscored analytical expectations in recent years, but that mark is quite concerning. Playing without top winger Pavel Buchnevich hurts a lot on that front, and he will remain sidelined for this matchup.
The greatest positive early on has been the excellent play of Jordan Binnington in goal after a poor campaign last year. Binnington owns a +5.0 GSAx and a .959 save % in his first three appearances and will likely get the nod Tuesday.
Winnipeg Jets
It's no secret that the Jets collapse last spring after a dominant Game 1 victory didn't sit well with either coach Rick Bowness or the core of the roster. Their offseason featured some meaningful roster overhaul, as well as long-term commitments from top stars Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck.
Now, the remaining players in the locker room are seemingly all excited to be a part of the team and are eager to make amends for last season's poor finish.
Scheifele, Josh Morrissey and Kyle Connor have all looked excellent in the early going. A number of complimentary pieces have also skated well and no specific facet of the game has looked overly poor despite the losing record.
Therefore, it's no surprise to see that the Jets own a 51.74% expected goals rating, which comes against a tougher than average slate of competition.
Winnipeg suffered a tough luck loss Thursday to the undefeated Golden Knights. The Jets were probably the better side, particularly in a lopsided third period, but couldn't find a way to finish their high quality chances. They owned far less of the play in Edmonton on Saturday, but were rewarded with a win thanks to Hellebuyck's 38-save performance.
However, Hellebuyck had been in the midst of a surprisingly poor start to the season. Goaltending is difficult to project year in and out, but Hellebuyck has been a consistently dominant starter over the past several years.
He owns a -1.1 GSAx and a .878 save % in four appearances this season and will likely be given the opportunity to improve those marks Tuesday.
Blues vs. Jets
Betting Pick & Prediction
Hellebuyck coming through with a trademark performance Saturday gives Jets bettors an extra degree of confidence that he's still going to be one of the leagues best goaltenders.
The Jets lineup dictates that they should be far better than the Blues this season, and St. Louis' strong 2-1-1 start doesn't change my thinking in that regard.
The Jets are worthy of being a -190 favorite in this matchup. You could play their standard moneyline, or go with a regulation win bet at -120 if you prefer playing less juice.
