BEST LINE: Pinnacle +113

Posted at 10:30 AM EST.

OT included. The Sharks have won eight of their past nine games and as a result of that they come into this one overpriced. Over those nine games, the Sharks defeated Edmonton twice and Calgary once. Combined, that pair has one win in their past 25 games. The Sharkies also have recent victories over Philly and Boston, two struggling teams. San Jose’s other three victories over that span occurred Minnesota, Anaheim and Nashville. We take nothing away from those last three wins but all three could have gone either way. San Jose is playing much better than they were early on but that doesn’t make them a good play against the Blue Notes. In fact, there is zero value laying a price against St. Louis.

The Blues are always worth a bet when taking back a tag because they just might be the league’s most difficult team to defeat. St. Louis just defeated Los Angeles 5-2 and in the rematch two days later they had a 3-0 first period lead before the Kings rallied for six goals to win it. That was against Martin Brodeur, who might be the only goalie in the NHL capable of blowing a three-goal lead playing for the Blues. St. Louis has scored four goals or more in five of their past six. Over that latest six-game span they have scored 30 times. They rank highly in every offensive and defensive category in the league both on the surface and beneath it. This is a true juggernaut and if Jake Allen plays a decent game here, the Blues will leave with another victory because it is a rare day when these Blue Notes aren’t ready and/or get outplayed. Definite overlay.