Blues vs Islanders Picks and Prediction – 11/24/2024

The St. Louis Blues (9-11-1) take on the New York Islanders (7-8-5) at UBS Arena. St. Louis is coming off a shootout victory over San Jose, while New York suffered a loss to Detroit. Hit the ice running with our NHL picks.

St. Louis has had an up-and-down season offensively, ranking 25th in goals scored (51). Jordan Kyrou leads with 12 goals and 12 assists, while Robert Thomas provides consistent support with nine assists. The power play struggles, converting only 14.9% of opportunities, but the Blues do excel in generating penalty minutes. Goalie Jordan Binnington has posted a disappointing .888 save percentage and 3.10 goals against average, reflecting the defensive challenges the Blues face.

Defensively, St. Louis ranks near the bottom of the league, allowing 71 goals (29th overall). Injuries to key defensemen like Torey Krug and Nick Leddy have left the back end vulnerable. The penalty kill sits at 76.8%, and while this is below average, it outpaces New York’s dismal performance. If the Blues want to extend current momentum, they need to tighten defensive lapses and give Binnington the support he needs to elevate his game.

The New York Islanders have been equally inconsistent, sitting at 26th in goals scored (49). Kyle Palmieri, with seven goals and nine assists, has been the most reliable offensive contributor. However, a 12.1% power-play conversion rate, the league's worst, limits the ability to capitalize on chances. Despite a better shooting percentage than St. Louis, New York struggles to create high-danger opportunities.

Defensively, New York fares much better than its counterparts, ranking 13th in goals allowed (58). Ilya Sorokin boasts a respectable .914 save percentage and 2.64 GAA, providing the Islanders a solid backbone. The penalty kill is, however, abysmal at 69.8%, ranking near the bottom of the NHL. With home-ice advantage, Sorokin and the Islanders’ defense will aim to stifle the Blues’ offense.

St. Louis brings momentum after a recent win and faces a struggling New York power play and penalty kill. Expect the Blues to outlast the Islanders in a low-scoring affair. Final Score Prediction: St. Louis Blues win 3-2.