St. Louis Blues vs Ottawa Senators Picks and Predictions January 3rd 2025

St. Louis Blues vs Ottawa Senators January 3rd 2025

Planning on watching today’s Senators and Blues game? Catch the action at Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO, as the Blues hosts this showdown at 8:00 ET on ESPN+. This non-conference matchup has an over/under of 5.5 goals, and the Blues are favored by -1.5 against the Senators.

Ottawa vs. St. Louis Key Information

• Teams: Senators at Blues
• Where: Enterprise Center St. Louis
• Date: Friday, January 3rd
• Betting Odds STL -110 | OTT -108 O/U 5.5

The Senators Can Win If…

With a 3-0 win over the Kraken, the Senators improved to 19-16-2 this season. Ottawa covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total of 6.5 goals was never in danger, with the teams combining for just 3 goals.

Three different players scored for the Senators, with Adam Gaudette opening the scoring at 14:32 in the first period. Brady Tkachuk added a goal in the second, and Tim Stützle sealed the win with an empty-netter in the third.

Ottawa’s offense found the net three times in their 3-0 win over Seattle. Adam Gaudette opened the scoring with his 7th goal of the season, followed by Brady Tkachuk, who also netted his 7th. Tim Stützle added an empty-netter, his 6th goal of the year.

The Senators took 23 shots on goal and recorded 11 giveaways. They scored once in each period, with Gaudette’s goal coming 5:28 into the first period. Stützle also picked up his 10th assist on Tkachuk’s goal.

Ottawa’s defense was impressive in their previous game, allowing 0 goals and securing a shutout victory over Seattle. Goalie Anton Forsberg made 22 saves with a perfect 100% save percentage. The Senators’ defense also contributed 2 takeaways and 25 hits.

• Ottawa has put together a record of 1-2 in their last three games (regular season). In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 1-2 and an over-under mark of 0-1-2.
• The Senators have gone 7-3 over their last ten regular season games. Against the spread, Ottawa went 5-5 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 1-6-3.

The Blues Can Win If…

With a 4-2 win over the Maple Leafs, the Blues moved above .500 to 18-17-4. St. Louis covered the puck line as underdogs, and the total was set at 6 goals, resulting in a push.

After trailing 1-0 in the first period, the Blues responded with four unanswered goals. Three different players scored for St. Louis, with Colton Parayko leading the way with two goals.

Colton Parayko led the way for the Blues with two goals, bringing his season total to three. He also added his fifth assist on Pavel Buchnevich’s fourth goal of the season, which came on an empty net with just 39 seconds left in the game. Jordan Kyrou scored his third goal of the season, while Ryan Suter picked up two assists, giving him three for the year.

St. Louis took 24 shots on goal and scored three times in the second period after being held scoreless in the first. The Blues had 14 giveaways in the game.

St. Louis gave up the first goal 5:25 into the first period and another late in the third, but they held Toronto scoreless for a crucial stretch, leading to a 4-2 win. Jordan Binnington made 35 saves with a 94.6% save percentage, while the Blues’ defense added 3 takeaways and 17 hits.

• St. Louis will look to keep things rolling as they have put together a mark of 2-1 over their past three games. In these games, they have a 2-1 record vs the puck line and an over-under mark of 3-0.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Blues have gone 4-6 straight up. This includes going 6-4 vs. the puck line along with an over-under mark of 4-6.

The Lean

For a moneyline bet, I’m backing the Senators to secure a victory over the Blues on the road. With the moneyline currently set at -108, I’m locking in my bet on the Senators straight-up.

If you’re looking to get a bet down on this matchup, we foresee the Senators winning the underdog. However, if you’re not as confident in the Senators straight-up, we’d still recommend placing a bet on them to cover the puck line.

If you’re looking at the over/under line set at 5.5 goals, our prediction is that this game will exceed that mark, and we strongly advise placing a bet on the over.

Blues Seek Redemption Against Senators

The St. Louis Blues will host the Ottawa Senators on Friday night, driven by the memory of their crushing 8-1 defeat in Ottawa earlier this season. That game was a low point for St. Louis, with Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk dominating for the Senators. The Blues now have a chance for redemption on home ice.

Since that loss, the Blues have undergone significant changes, including a coaching switch from Drew Bannister to Jim Montgomery. The move has yielded improvements, with the team posting a 9-5-3 record under Montgomery’s leadership. St. Louis has won three of its past four games, including a resounding 6-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks in the Winter Classic.

Blues Look to Maintain Momentum

Montgomery emphasized the need for consistent performance as the team seeks a playoff push. He expressed confidence in the team’s ability to harness their recent successes and translate them into consistent play. Players like Cam Fowler, who has contributed six points in his last four games, and Justin Faulk, who ended a lengthy goal drought in the Winter Classic, are becoming pivotal to the Blues’ recent surge. This momentum could prove critical as the team tackles their January-heavy home schedule.

Senators Struggle to Regain Form

For the Senators, the game against St. Louis comes at a challenging point in their season. They have been navigating a demanding road schedule and are coming off a 4-2 loss to the Dallas Stars. Despite their struggles, Ottawa has shown flashes of resilience, with Brady Tkachuk continuing to lead by example. Tkachuk has been a consistent contributor, amassing four points in his last three games. The return of defenseman Artem Zub from injury adds stability to the lineup, and goaltender Anton Forsberg might step into the crease for added depth.

Check out the latest insights in NHL Conference Odds & Predictions!

High Stakes in Familiar Territory

St. Louis enters this matchup with clear advantages. Their renewed focus under Montgomery has allowed them to shore up their defense and amplify their offensive productivity. The Senators, meanwhile, face the dual challenge of overcoming their recent inconsistency and adjusting to back-to-back games. The Blues’ determination to avenge their earlier loss and their recent strong performances make them the favorites heading into this intense and pivotal contest.