Thursday, April 3, 8:00 PM on MSG, FSMW

Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Missouri

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

A mere one point separates the Blues from the top seed in all of the NHL and a President's Cup Trophy and a visit from last place Buffalo with just 7 games left offers a nice reprieve. After Buffalo the final 6 games are against likely playoff teams so St. Louis is actually in a must-win situation against a team with 50 points less than them. The Sabres haven't checked out completely for next season as they've gone to overtime in consecutive games.

Buffalo has won just 2 games in their last 10 and seemingly never get a home game. 7 of the last 10 have been away from the First Niagara Center and Thursday's tilt in St. Louis is the start of another three game road stretch. The Sabres score just 1.84 goals per game which is dead last in the NHL compared to St. Louis' 4th place 3.09 g/a ranking.

The Blues have 109 points which is only one behind Boston's 110. Each team has 7 games remaining but the Bruins only play two games in Boston while St. Louis gets 4 matchups at home. The Blues have been efficient lately winning 7 of 10 which is impressive considering they sandwiched a 4-game road stretch in that time. St. Louis looks to have big odds on their side and hopes to avoid a repeat of Saturday's 2-4 loss to Dallas as -220 favorites.

The Blues and Sabres have met up once this year with St. Louis capturing a 4-1 win on the road. As expected St. Louis was big favorites at -182 but received a scare when Buffalo's Tyler Ennis scored 0:18 into the game. They responded quickly with a Brenden Morrow goal at 1:09 and went on to shutout the Sabres the rest of the game.

ATS Trends

Buffalo is 8-28 straight up on the road this season

Buffalo is 11-20-4  against the over/under on the road this season

St Louis is 27-10 straight up at home this season

St Louis is 21-14-2 against the over/under at home this season

Injuries to Watch

Buffalo 

04/01/14 D Tyler Myers Upper Body out indefinitely
04/01/14 D Nicolas Deslauriers Personal questionable Thursday vs St. Louis
04/01/14 C Zenon Konopka Back questionable Thursday vs St. Louis
03/29/14 GO Michal Neuvirth Lower Body out indefinitely
03/27/14 C Kevin Porter Lower Body out indefinitely
03/27/14 C Torrey Mitchell Undisclosed out indefinitely
03/17/14 GO Jhonas Enroth Leg out indefinitely
03/14/14 D Alexander Sulzer Concussion out indefinitely
03/08/14 RW Chris Stewart Ankle out for season

St Louis 

03/25/14 D Jordan Leopold Ankle expected to miss 1-2 weeks
03/16/14 RW Vladimir Tarasenko Hand out indefinitely
01/16/14 RW Jamie Langenbrunner None has retired

Tony's Pick: Take St. Louis

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink