Blues/Rangers


The interconference battle between the St. Louis Blues and the New York Rangers will resume for the second meeting this season, but this time it will be at the Garden. This matchup is particularly interesting because the moneyline was as high as +115 later last night for the Home team, but has seen some sharp movement early this morning now sitting as low as -105. Despite the drop, the majority of bettors are on the St. Louis Blues.


Although the explanation for the sudden movement may not be entirely clear to the public eye, there are some things worth looking at. First of all, St. Louis is coming off their worst loss of the season against a perceived to be offensively inept opponent just across the river from Manhattan. The New Jersey Devils embarrassed the Blues 7-1, in a game where nothing went right for the visitor. Both St. Louis Goaltenders were extremely shaky in their appearances in the game. Normally I would avoid fading a strong team in a situation where they were just previously blown out, but there may be some indication that St.Louis is not fully prepared to come to play tonight.


48 hours following their loss to the Devils, the Blues vacate just a few miles across the tunnel to face New Jersey's counterpart rival. The bad news is that: A) 48 hours is just enough time to get adequate rest, but not enough time to regroup and refocus completely following a devastating blow out (the team could still be in shock)
B ) 48 hours is just a little too much time, in the sense that the adrenaline from the immediate memory of defeat is no longer fresh.


In addition, the Big Apple is not exactly the type of city for players to avoid off ice distraction on their day off.


The Rangers are coming off a 5-3 loss against their cross-city rival New York Islanders, in what usually results in an unpredictable high emotion battle whenever those two meet. Today they will go back to basics, and play a style that has worked very well for them in their last ten games (7-3). Ever since the official selection of Rick Nash to team Canada, he has really elevated his game and it has had a trickle down effect on the rest of the team.


In essence, New York is starting to be that home team that everybody expects them to be. They are playing very well in their own end, allowing very few goals, through the solid play of goaltender Henrik Lundqvist and an organized defense. Their offence has been in a groove as well. Every department is gelling for the team. St. Louis on the other had, are showing signs of discombobulation, and although I don't doubt that they are a great team that will find their strideagain sooner than later, tonight might be just too soon. Last but not least, the line movement is just too much to ignore.


Play: New York Rangers -105