The set-up: It was this time last year that Jordan Binnington and the Blues "upped their game" and then plowed their way to a Stanley Cup trophy. This season St. Louis has been the "cream of the crop" from the "get go" and I believe it'll come in focussed on the task at hand tonight. Vancouver is atop the weak Pacific Division and all signs point to it have its hands full tonight.

The pick: While Vancouver went into the break with a 4-1 win over the Sharks, the Blues went into the All Star game with a 5-3 loss to the Avs. Both teams are dealing with injuries, so that area is a "wash" in my opinion. Note though that St. Louis is 7-2 in its last nine Western Conference road games after three or more days of rest, while Vancouver is just 3-6 in its last nine home games as an underdog in the +105 to +125 range. I like Jordan Binnington to out-play Jacob Markstrom in net. Look for the defending champs to post a win to open up the second half. Consider the visitors in this one.

1* FREE PLAY on the St. Louis Blues.