Bruins vs. Blues Prediction, NHL Odds & Best Bets (10/29)

Fact checked at 7:40 AM ET, Oct 29, 2026

Odds as of 6:48 AM ET, Oct 29, 2026

The Atlantic-leading Boston Bruins (9-3-1) visit the St. Louis Blues (5-6-1) at Enterprise Center, with the puck dropping at 8:00 PM ET. St. Louis hasn't scored in 123:55. It was shut out in back-to-back home games for the first time in 17 years, the latest a 2-0 loss to Montreal in which it put 46 shots on goal. Boston comes in off a 2-1 loss at Carolina.

The market has flipped since the line opened, and St. Louis is now a slight favorite after starting as a short underdog. Injuries don't explain it. Boston's injury report is empty and the Blues' injured list is the same as it was. The change is in net. Jordan Binnington (1-3-0, 4.11 GAA, .846 save percentage) started against Montreal, and Joel Hofer (4-3-1, 2.40, .917) is projected to go back in tonight. Jeremy Swayman (7-2-1, 2.19, .921) is projected for Boston. Neither team has confirmed its starter.

We're betting on Boston's third line. Elias Lindholm centers Casey Mittelstadt and rookie James Hagens, and since that trio came together it has often tilted the ice in Boston's favor at five-on-five. On a good night for that line, Hagens is firing pucks and Lindholm is getting on the scoresheet. Both picks need that same night, and neither one needs Boston to win the game.

Bruins vs. Blues Predictions

• Pick #1: Elias Lindholm Over 0.5 Points (-110)
• Pick #2: James Hagens Over 1.5 Shots on Goal (-150)

PICK #1: Elias Lindholm Over 0.5 Points (-110)

Since he moved between Mittelstadt and Hagens, Lindholm has nine points in nine games. He brings a three-game point streak (one goal, three assists) into St. Louis, and he has a point in 9 of his 13 games this season, 7 of his last 10. In the most recent lineup he also skated on the top power-play unit with David Pastrnak, Pavel Zacha, Morgan Geekie and Charlie McAvoy, and on the top penalty kill. He plays in every situation.

He wins 59.4% of his faceoffs, so his line usually starts with the puck. He has two goals and 15 assists in 26 career games against St. Louis. The Blues give up 3.08 goals a game, and Boston scores 3.77, fifth in the league.

At -110 the implied probability is 52.4%, and his season rate sits well above it, with the power play as a second route. Hofer and his .917 save percentage are the worry, along with a tight, low-scoring game that leaves Lindholm out of it. He went without a point in 4 of his 13 games. Player props may settle differently in overtime at different books.

PICK #2: James Hagens Over 1.5 Shots on Goal (-150)

Hagens needs two shots, and he doesn't need to beat Hofer to get them. He has put two or more on goal in 8 of his 13 NHL games and 7 of his last 10, with 25 shots in all. He plays right wing on the Lindholm line and was on Boston's second power-play unit in the most recent lineup, which adds puck time on top of his roughly 13 minutes a night. In the home win over San Jose, his line out-shot the Sharks 9-4 at five-on-five.

The same line that sets up Lindholm's points is the one that gets Hagens his looks, so a good night for the line covers both picks.

It isn't a bargain. The -150 price implies 60.0%, and 8 of 13 is only a little better than that. It's a 13-game record from a rookie, and he came up short three times in his last 10: one shot at Carolina, and none in the earlier game at San Jose or against Utah. If Boston changes the lines before puck drop or he loses his power-play spot, his chances shrink.

21+ (18+ where permitted). Odds subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.