by Chuck Sommers
Tuesday, Mar 28, 2023
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Venue: Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO
Where to watch: BSMW, SNP
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Even
BetMGM: Even
Caesars: Even
Season record
Canucks: 34-34-5
Blues: 33-34-6
The All-Star break is over, the second half of the NHL season can officially begin, and we're bound for what should be a very exciting second half of the hockey season. Basketball and hockey are about to rule the roost in the sports betting world once the Super Bowl is done with, and we should all be very excited for what's to come. When the trade deadline hits and players switch teams, you know things are about to get hectic over these final 30 games or so. One way you can stay tuned with the action is following what our champion handicappers are doing in the world of the NHL. Look at ASA, Inc., reeling in a $6,750 profit off a 17-9-0 run. Al McMordie is also doing well on the ice with a 13-5-0 run and a net profit of $6,050. Scott Rickenbach has also been hanging strong with a lot of betting action, in what's been an unusual year, with a 24-18-0 run and reeling in $5,950. You know this action is going to be great now that games are back and a busy second half if on the horizon. All you need to do is head to our BEST BETS page at bigal.com to find out all of what we're trying to tell you. Make sure you're locked in at bigal.com and go to our Best Bets page to find out what our champion handicappers have to say in the world of the NHL!
Canucks - Blues preview, prediction and analysis
The Vancouver Canucks will be facing off against the St. Louis Blues in an important game on March 28, 2023. With both teams fighting for playoff spots, this matchup promises to be a competitive and intense affair.
The Canucks will come into this game looking to bounce back from a tough stretch of games. Vancouver has struggled in recent weeks, losing six of their last eight games. Despite the slump, the Canucks are still in the playoff hunt and will be hoping to turn things around against a tough Blues team.
St. Louis, on the other hand, has been in excellent form recently, winning seven of their last ten games. The Blues have been led by their star players, including Vladimir Tarasenko and Ryan O'Reilly, and will be looking to continue their winning ways against the Canucks.
One area to watch in this game will be the battle between the two teams' goaltenders. Vancouver's Thatcher Demko has been excellent this season, posting a .925 save percentage and three shutouts. Meanwhile, St. Louis' Jordan Binnington has been a reliable presence between the pipes, with a .914 save percentage and four shutouts on the year.
Another key matchup to keep an eye on will be the battle between the two teams' top lines. Vancouver's top trio of Brock Boeser, Elias Pettersson, and J.T. Miller has been one of the most productive lines in the league this season, while St. Louis' top line of Tarasenko, O'Reilly, and David Perron has also been a force to be reckoned with.
However, the Canucks will be without one of their key players, as defenseman Quinn Hughes is expected to miss this game due to injury. Hughes has been a crucial part of Vancouver's blue line and his absence will be a significant loss for the team.
The special teams battle will also be crucial in this game, as both teams have strong power plays. Vancouver's power play ranks among the top 10 in the league, while St. Louis' penalty kill has been one of the best in the NHL this season.
Overall, this game promises to be an exciting and hard-fought battle between two talented teams. Vancouver will be looking to snap their losing streak and keep their playoff hopes alive, while St. Louis will be aiming to continue their winning ways and solidify their position in the postseason race.
Fans can expect a thrilling game filled with plenty of scoring opportunities, physical play, and goaltending heroics. With both teams fighting for crucial points in the standings, this matchup is sure to be a must-watch for hockey fans around the league.
Prediction
Canucks 4, Blues 2
Projected lines
Canucks:
Andrei Kuzmenko -- Elias Pettersson -- Anthony Beauvillier
Phillip Di Giuseppe -- J.T. Miller -- Brock Boeser
Dakota Joshua -- Nils Aman -- Conor Garland
Vitali Kravtsov -- Sheldon Dries -- Vasily Podkolzin
Quinn Hughes -- Tyler Myers
Ethan Bear -- Kyle Burroughs
Jack Rathbone -- Filip Hronek
Thatcher Demko
Andrei Kuzmenko -- Elias Pettersson -- Anthony Beauvillier
Phillip Di Giuseppe -- J.T. Miller -- Brock Boeser
Dakota Joshua -- Nils Aman -- Conor Garland
Vitali Kravtsov -- Sheldon Dries -- Vasily Podkolzin
Quinn Hughes -- Tyler Myers
Ethan Bear -- Kyle Burroughs
Jack Rathbone -- Filip Hronek
Thatcher Demko
Blues:
Jake Neighbours -- Robert Thomas -- Jordan Kyrou
Brandon Saad -- Pavel Buchnevich -- Kasperi Kapanen
Sammy Blais -- Brayden Schenn -- Jakub Vrana
Alexey Toropchenko -- Nathan Walker -- Tyler Pitlick
Nick Leddy -- Colton Parayko
Marco Scandella -- Justin Faulk
Torey Krug -- Robert Bortuzzo
Jordan Binnington
Jake Neighbours -- Robert Thomas -- Jordan Kyrou
Brandon Saad -- Pavel Buchnevich -- Kasperi Kapanen
Sammy Blais -- Brayden Schenn -- Jakub Vrana
Alexey Toropchenko -- Nathan Walker -- Tyler Pitlick
Nick Leddy -- Colton Parayko
Marco Scandella -- Justin Faulk
Torey Krug -- Robert Bortuzzo
Jordan Binnington
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert hockey picks today. And if you enjoyed this preview, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NHL projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
