NHL Odds: Ducks Face Blues in Thursday Night Matchup

When the puck drops at 8 PM ET in St. Louis this Thursday, both the Ducks and Blues will be without prominent players in their respective lineups. Will the depth of each team keep them afloat, or will the personnel losses be too much to overcome?

Entering game day, the St. Louis Blues (21-9-2) sit first in the Western Conference’s Central Division. They haven’t cooled off since the first game of the season. They rank sixth in team offense, fourth in team defense, and have two players who occupy top-ten positions in the league in points. But on Saturday, they were dealt two significant blows; their second leading scorer, Jaden Schwartz, and their top defenseman, Alex Peitrangelo, were placed on the injured reserve list with lower body injuries.

Of all teams, Anaheim will take no pity on the Blues. Just when it seemed the Ducks were getting healthy with the return of their captain, Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim lost their leading scorer, Corey Perry, to a long-term injury. Now sitting only two games above .500 and underperforming thus far this season, the Ducks will look to strike while the opportunity presents itself, and upset the injured Blues on the road.

NHL Odds: Getzlaf Looks to Step in for Perry

After losing their leading scorer, Corey Perry, to injury last Friday, Anaheim will turn to team captain Ryan Getzlaf to carry the load. Getzlaf is just returning from his own injury, so he’ll need support from secondary scorers if the Ducks hope to take advantage of the injury-riddled Blues.


Sitting in first in the Central Division, the Blues haven’t faced much adversity this season. But they were dealt a blow last week and will be forced to play without offensive standout Jaden Schwartz, and their top minute-logger, Alex Pietrangelo, as both went down with lower body injuries and are expected to miss time. This game will be a matchup of injured squads and will test the depth of both clubs.