Analysis
Predators vs Blues Prediction, Picks & Odds (Oct 17, 2026)
By SportsHub Model · Edited by Kyle Parker
The 20-second version
- No edge: the model leans St. Louis only at low confidence, and the -110 to -115 price already covers it.
- St. Louis has scored 16 goals in its last three games; Nashville has scored 2.57 per game, tied for 26th.
- Nashville's power play (26.9%, 6th) is the Predators' clearest edge.
- Neither starting goalie is confirmed, which keeps us off the total as well.
The Nashville Predators (2-2-3) host the St. Louis Blues (3-3-1) at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+, Scripps). It is a Central Division game priced like a coin flip: Nashville -104 to -108, St. Louis -110 to -115, with the total at 5.5 or 6. The Blues bring the hotter offense, the Predators bring the better power play, and neither starting goalie is confirmed. SportsHub's call: no edge on this one.
How these teams got here
St. Louis has scored 25 goals in seven games, 3.57 per game, but has also allowed 23 (3.29 per game). The Blues have piled up 16 goals in their last three games: a 5-3 win at Columbus, a 7-2 rout of Ottawa and a 5-4 loss at Minnesota on Thursday in which a late comeback fell one goal short. Robert Thomas scored shorthanded in that game and Cam Fowler had three assists.
Nashville has lost four of five and has collected points mostly through extra time: three of its seven games have ended in overtime or shootout losses. The Predators have scored 18 goals (2.57 per game, tied for 26th) and allowed 22. Their last week went 3-2 loss to Ottawa, 5-2 loss at Vegas and a 3-2 shootout loss at San Jose on Thursday, in which Steven Stamkos scored twice. Both teams played Thursday, so rest is even.
Goalies and special teams decide it
The goaltending picture is open. Daily projections list Jordan Binnington for St. Louis (1-1-0, 4.50 GAA, .847 save percentage) and Justus Annunen for Nashville, who has not recorded a decision this season, but neither is confirmed. The alternatives are Joel Hofer (2-2-1, 2.44 GAA, .906, one shutout) and Juuse Saros (2-2-2, 2.96 GAA, .904), who stopped 30 of 32 shots in San Jose. A Binnington-Annunen matchup favors the over; Hofer-Saros looks tighter.
Special teams lean Nashville. The Predators' power play converts 26.9% (6th in the NHL) against an 18.8% St. Louis unit (16th). Both penalty kills are solid, St. Louis at 87.5% and Nashville at 86.4%. Nashville is also the more disciplined team at 7.0 penalty minutes per game versus 11.1 for the Blues, which limits the Blues' chances to answer.
At even strength, St. Louis has the finishing edge. The Blues shoot 13.8% (7th) while Nashville sits at 10.5% (23rd). The Predators allow 29.6 shots per game (27th), so a team converting at the Blues' rate will find chances even with only 25.9 shots of its own.
Injuries and lineup notes
St. Louis is thin on the blue line. Brandon Carlo is out, and Tyler Tucker (knee) and Logan Mailloux (hand) are on injured reserve, along with forward Dillon Dube (neck). Pavel Buchnevich is day-to-day for personal reasons, so his status is worth checking before puck drop.
Nashville lists center Mavrik Bourque as day-to-day with an upper-body injury and defenseman William Trudeau on injured reserve. Roman Josi leads the Predators with six assists.
Prediction: no edge in a pick'em Central game
- The model's lean is low confidence. It gives St. Louis 65%, but at a low confidence rating, and our rule is to only headline medium or high confidence leans.
- The price already reflects the Blues' offense. St. Louis is a small road favorite at -110 to -115, which builds in its 3.57 goals per game.
- Nashville's edges are real. The 26.9% power play and fewer penalties taken give the Predators a path, especially at home.
- The goalie choices are unconfirmed. Starters could change either side's price, and we would rather not guess.
The swing factor is the Nashville power play against a St. Louis team that takes 11.1 penalty minutes per game. On the total, the teams combine for 6.14 goals per game against a 5.5 or 6 line; that is close enough to the number that we pass there too.
