NHL picks: Blues and Red Wings hunting redemption at Enterprise Center

Two sides nursing fresh defeats square off at Enterprise Center on Wednesday afternoon, with the St Louis Blues hosting the Detroit Red Wings in a mid-season battle between struggling outfits. The Blues (7-8-2, 23rd overall) and Red Wings (7-8-3, 21st) are separated by just one point on the league table, and both arrive at this contest looking to halt losing streaks that have dented their early-season confidence. Puck drop is set for 12:00 pm AEDT, and the contest shapes as a chance for one side to steady the ship while the other sinks deeper into the mire.

St Louis come into this one having dropped three straight, most recently a 1–3 defeat to Nashville on Sunday. That loss capped a miserable road stretch that also included setbacks against New Jersey (4–5) and the Rangers (1–3). The Blues have managed just six goals across those three defeats, a far cry from the offensive spark they showed earlier in the campaign. Detroit, meanwhile, are in no better shape: they were blanked 4–0 by Colorado in their last outing, capping a run of four losses in five starts. The Red Wings have leaked 3.6 goals per game over that five-match sample, and their 68.97 per cent penalty-kill rate is among the league's worst this season.

The only recent meeting between these clubs came earlier this month, when St Louis edged Detroit 5–4 in a high-scoring affair. That result offers a glimmer of hope for the Blues, though it's worth noting the Red Wings pushed them all the way despite being on home ice. With both teams desperate for two points and each carrying defensive vulnerabilities, Wednesday's rematch looms as another open, goal-heavy contest.

Can the Blues find the net at home?

St Louis sit 23rd in the overall standings with a 7-8-2 record, while Detroit are one rung higher at 21st (7-8-3). The Blues' season scoring numbers are marginally better — 2.94 goals per game versus Detroit's 2.61 — but they've also conceded at a slightly higher clip (3.12 per game compared to the Red Wings' 3.00). Neither side can claim a defensive edge, and both are hovering around league-average possession (St Louis 50.2 per cent Corsi, Detroit 52.4 per cent).

Over their last five outings, the Blues have averaged three goals for and 3.2 against, posting two wins and three losses. Detroit's recent run is even bleaker: 2.4 goals for, 3.6 against, with four defeats in five. The Red Wings' last start saw them shut out entirely by Colorado, while St Louis at least found the back of the net once against Nashville despite the loss. Coming off that 1–3 defeat, the Blues will be eager to rediscover their scoring touch in front of a home crowd.

The most recent head-to-head result favoured St Louis, who edged the Red Wings 5–4 in early November. That scoreline suggests both teams are capable of lighting the lamp when they meet, and with defences continuing to leak goals, the stage is set for another back-and-forth affair. Philip Broberg leads the Blues' scoring with 4 goals and 9 assists, while Jimmy Snuggerud has been the most prolific finisher with 9 goals. For Detroit, Alex DeBrincat (7 goals, 9 assists) and Lucas Raymond (6 goals, 10 assists) have carried the offensive load, but neither could prevent the shutout loss last time out.

On the win market, St Louis are priced at 1.7, with Detroit at 2.1. The home side's slight edge in the odds reflects their recent head-to-head success and the advantage of playing at Enterprise Center, but neither team has done enough in recent weeks to inspire overwhelming confidence. For punters weighing up our nhl picks, the Blues' ability to score at home — they thumped Boston 4–1 in their only recent outing at Enterprise Center — may tip the scales, though Detroit's resilience in that 5–4 loss earlier this month cannot be ignored.

FAQ

Both teams arrive in poor form, but the Blues' narrow win over Detroit earlier this month and their superior scoring rate give them a slender edge. Expect a tight contest with plenty of end-to-end action, and don't be surprised if special teams play a decisive role given the Red Wings' porous penalty kill.