Toronto Maple Leafs vs St. Louis Blues Picks and Predictions October 24th 2024

Toronto Maple Leafs vs St. Louis Blues October 24th 2024

Planning on watching today’s Blues and Maple Leafs game? Catch the action at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON, as the Maple Leafs hosts this showdown at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The over/under goal line for this matchup is currently at 6 goals, and the Maple Leafs are favored by -1.5 vs. the Blues.

St. Louis vs. Toronto Key Information

St. Louis fell to 4-3-0 after a 3-2 loss to the Jets. The Blues led 1-0 after the first period, but Winnipeg scored three unanswered goals before St. Louis added another in the third. The total line was set at 5.5 goals, and the combined 5 goals fell just short. As the underdogs on the puck line, the Blues didn’t cover.

Brandon Saad was the only Blues player to score, finding the net at 9:49 in the first period. The Jets tied it up at 11:48 in the second and added two more goals in the same period. Saad scored again in the third period at 14:45, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap.

Brandon Saad was the sole scorer for the Blues in their 3-2 loss to the Jets, netting his first and second goals of the season. Saad took 4 shots on goal, with his first goal coming at 9:49 in the first period and his second at 14:45 in the third.

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Robert Thomas added two assists, bringing his total to 5 for the season. The Blues fired 29 shots on goal but were held scoreless in the second period. They also recorded 22 giveaways.

St. Louis took a 1-0 lead into the second period, but their defense gave up three goals in the second, including the first at 11:48. They also allowed another at 6:02 and one more at 2:20. The Blues’ defense did not allow a goal in the third period, but it wasn’t enough, as they lost 3-2. Jordan Binnington finished with 21 saves and a save percentage of 87.5%.

Toronto’s record fell to 4-3-0 after a 6-2 loss to the Blue Jackets. The Maple Leafs were favored on the puck line, but they failed to cover. The total was set at 6.5 goals, and the 8 combined goals went over that line.

Defensively, the Maple Leafs struggled from the start, allowing three goals in the first period. Matthew Knies and Nicholas Robertson each scored for Toronto, but the game was never close.

Toronto’s offense struggled in their 6-2 loss to Columbus, with Nicholas Robertson netting his first goal of the season and Matthew Knies adding his third. Knies took 5 shots on goal, while Robertson scored on his only shot.

The Maple Leafs fired 28 shots on goal but were held scoreless in the first period. They managed just one goal in the second and another in the third. Toronto recorded 15 giveaways in the game.

Toronto’s defense struggled in their last game, allowing six goals on 38 shots from Columbus. Goalie Dennis Hildeby made 32 saves but finished with a save percentage of 84.2%. The Maple Leafs also recorded 22 hits and 6 takeaways. They fell behind early, giving up three goals in the first period and two more in the second.

For a moneyline bet, we have the Maple Leafs as the likely winner. However, with the current odds at -228, I’d suggest considering a puck line bet, as our predictions have the Maple Leafs winning by more than one goal.

For a puck line pick, we are going with the Maple Leafs to win and cover. Look for the Maple Leafs to win this one by multiple goals over the Blues.

When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 6 goals, we believe that this game will go over that threshold, and we recommend wagering on the over.

Blues Set to Battle Maple Leafs, Former Coach Craig Berube

Craig Berube coached the St. Louis Blues to a Stanley Cup championship in 2019, but on Thursday night he aims to guide the host Toronto Maple Leafs to a win over his former team.

Berube was fired by St. Louis on Dec. 12, 2023, and became Toronto’s coach this past May. He suggested no hard feelings toward the Blues and is looking forward to facing his old squad for the first time.

“It’ll be great,” Berube told NHL.com. “I had some great years there. I got very close with a lot of players and management and the people of St. Louis, and always will be.”

“As for the players, I coached Brayden Schenn since he was a kid in Philly. Robert Thomas, Jordan Binnington, I coached them for a long time. So, I care a lot about those guys, I care a lot about the organization and about the Blues. But I’ve moved on now. I’m with the Leafs now.”

Maple Leafs Look to Rebound

The Maple Leafs will have added incentive after playing their worst game of the season in a 6-2 road loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.

“They brought their best, and we brought our worst,” Toronto right winger Mitchell Marner said.

Toronto will need a stronger effort to avoid consecutive losses and to support Berube in his first meeting against his former team.

Blues Dealing with Injuries

St. Louis also lost on Tuesday, falling 3-2 to the visiting Winnipeg Jets. Despite the defeat, Blues coach Drew Bannister remained positive about his team’s performance.

“I didn’t think we had any passengers tonight,” Bannister said. “I thought the effort was there, from start to finish. Our guys battled, they worked hard.”

The Blues suffered a significant blow when Robert Thomas fractured his ankle after blocking a shot in the third period. Thomas, who has one goal and five assists this season, was placed on injured reserve and will be re-evaluated in six weeks.

“I think just next man up mentality,” said Brandon Saad, who scored two goals in the loss. “Obviously, you can’t replace (Thomas). He’s unbelievable, but at the same time, you got to keep playing.”

Berube’s Impact Still Felt in St. Louis

Thursday’s game will be significant for St. Louis, as Brayden Schenn, the Blues’ captain, appreciates Berube’s influence.

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“Oh yeah, definitely, it makes you keep tabs on Toronto a little bit more,” Schenn said. “(Berube) has been so good to me over my career and gave me such a great opportunity to play in this league for a long time. I definitely owe him a lot.”

“I’m not going to say I’m going to root for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but you’re definitely rooting for the ‘Chief’ to do well. He’s a good man. Guys definitely loved him around this locker room for many years.”

Goalie Decisions Loom for the Leafs

In the Maple Leafs’ loss to Columbus, goaltender Dennis Hildeby made his second career start after Anthony Stolarz played the night before in a 5-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Joseph Woll, recovering from a groin injury, had been considered a potential starter on Tuesday but was given more time to heal.

Maple Leafs forward Max Pacioretty, who recently returned from being a healthy scratch, left Tuesday’s game with a lower-body injury and was scheduled for evaluation on Wednesday. Pacioretty has two goals in five games this season. His status for Thursday’s matchup is uncertain.

Both the Maple Leafs and Blues will be motivated to perform, with Berube’s return adding an extra layer of intrigue to this matchup.