St. Louis Blues vs Carolina Hurricanes Picks and Predictions October 19th 2024

Blues look to score more than one goal vs. Hurricanes

The St. Louis Blues will look to find their offensive rhythm when they host the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday evening. While the Hurricanes are riding high after a dominant start to their road trip, the Blues are seeking a way to overcome recent scoring struggles and ignite their offense.

Hurricanes Continue Their Strong Start

The Carolina Hurricanes are coming into the game full of confidence after a 4-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. That win marked the start of a challenging six-game road trip, and they’re off to a strong start, thanks to contributions from a diverse lineup of scorers. Jackson Blake, Martin Necas, Shayne Gostisbehere, and Jack Roslovic all found the back of the net, helping Carolina secure a commanding victory.

Jackson Blake, a rising star drafted in the fourth round by the Hurricanes in 2021, is already making waves just four games into his NHL career. With goals in back-to-back games, Blake is quickly establishing himself as an offensive force. He’s following in the footsteps of his father, Jason Blake, a former NHL forward who played over 800 games in the league. The younger Blake’s early success is a testament to his skill and hockey pedigree.

Shayne Gostisbehere, a veteran defenseman known for his offensive capabilities, is also on a hot streak with goals in consecutive games. After being traded to Carolina at the 2023 deadline and re-signing with the team in the offseason, Gostisbehere has settled into his role and continues to be a key player on both ends of the ice. His veteran leadership is helping the team’s newer players fit seamlessly into Carolina’s system.

Goaltending Depth Gives Hurricanes the Edge

The Hurricanes are expected to start Pyotr Kochetkov in net against the Blues, following Frederik Andersen’s solid 25-save performance against the Penguins. Kochetkov is coming off a strong outing himself, making 24 saves in a 4-2 win against the New Jersey Devils earlier in the week. In his only previous meeting against the Blues, Kochetkov recorded a .909 save percentage and allowed three goals in a 4-2 win in 2022.

With their reliable goaltending tandem, the Hurricanes have the defensive stability to back up their potent offense, making them one of the more balanced teams in the league.

NHL Picks and Predictions

Blues Struggle to Generate Offense

While Carolina is riding high, St. Louis has been struggling to score. In their last two games, the Blues have managed just one goal in each contest. However, they did secure a 1-0 overtime win against the New York Islanders on Thursday, thanks to a spectacular performance by goalie Joel Hofer.

Hofer not only posted a 34-save shutout but also assisted on the game-winning goal, becoming the first goalie in NHL history to achieve both feats in a 1-0 game. His remarkable performance highlights the Blues’ reliance on defense and goaltending in the absence of a consistent offensive push.

Jake Neighbours Steps Up

The lone goal in the win over the Islanders came from 22-year-old forward Jake Neighbours, who has emerged as a clutch player for the Blues. Neighbours’ game-winning tally was his seventh such goal before turning 23, placing him in elite company in franchise history. He now trails only Wayne Babych, Robert Thomas, Doug Gilmour, and Perry Turnbull for the most game-winning goals by a Blues player aged 22 or younger.

Neighbours’ development is a bright spot for the Blues, but the team will need more contributions across the board if they hope to match Carolina’s firepower.

Blues Defense Holds the Line Amid Injuries

On the defensive side, St. Louis continues to perform admirably, even as injuries take a toll on the lineup. Veteran defenseman Nick Leddy missed the game against the Islanders with a lower-body injury, and his availability for Saturday remains uncertain. In Leddy’s absence, 39-year-old Ryan Suter stepped in and played 25 minutes, the second-highest ice time on the team.

Suter’s experience has been invaluable for the Blues, and his partnership with Colton Parayko has been effective in maintaining defensive stability. Blues coach Drew Bannister praised Suter’s performance, noting his ability to seamlessly integrate into the lineup despite the added pressure of increased minutes.

“He’s played close to 1,500 games, so he knows what it takes,” Bannister said. “I thought he looked great out there.”

Keys to Victory for the Blues

For the Blues to have a shot against the Hurricanes, they will need to solve their offensive woes. Joel Hofer and the defensive unit can only hold off opponents for so long, and scoring just one goal per game won’t cut it against a team as deep and talented as Carolina. The Blues will need players like Neighbours, Jordan Kyrou, and Robert Thomas to step up and generate more chances in the offensive zone.

Special teams could also be a factor, as the Hurricanes boast a strong power play and penalty kill. St. Louis will need to stay disciplined and avoid giving Carolina unnecessary opportunities on the man advantage.

Conclusion: Can the Blues Match the Hurricanes’ Pace?

The St. Louis Blues face a daunting challenge in the red-hot Carolina Hurricanes. While their defensive performance has been strong, the Blues will need to find a way to break through offensively if they want to compete. Carolina, with its balanced attack and reliable goaltending, will look to continue its winning ways, making this a critical game for St. Louis as they aim to turn their season around.

The Blues have shown resilience, particularly on defense, but without an offensive spark, they may struggle to keep pace with a Hurricanes team firing on all cylinders.