Betting tips from AI for St Louis Blues vs Tampa Bay Lightning, 17 January 2026.

Bookmakers peg Tampa Bay as the clear favorite 1.55 while St. Louis offers value at 2.60 (draw 4.20). AccuScore and BetQL back the Lightning 64% with projected shot dominance and strong Vasilevskiy form, and Fox Sports pushes a 4-3 Tampa game and the over 5.5.

Still, Brayden Point’s absence and Philip Broberg’s status sap Tampa’s depth. The Blues at home carry momentum through Jordan Kyrou and have shown they can both shut teams out and explode offensively. The combination of home ice, matchup edges on defense without Point, and +160 payout creates a clear value play: back St. Louis to win outright for upside.

The Tampa Bay Lightning roll into St. Louis as clear favorites, with bookmakers listing them at 1.55 against the Blues' 2.60. This sentiment is echoed by AccuScore and BetQL, who peg Tampa as 64% favorites, anticipating a dominant shots-on-goal performance and a stellar showing from Vasilevskiy. The Lightning are on a hot streak, securing impressive road wins recently, while the Blues have shown inconsistency, mixing shutouts with significant losses like 3-7 at Chicago.

However, Tampa faces a challenge with Brayden Point sidelined due to injury, which could test their depth. Despite this, the offensive prowess of Nikita Kucherov, with a 69% chance of a multi-point night, remains a significant threat. Fox Sports models predict a tighter contest than some might expect, a 4-3 Lightning victory, suggesting the Blues could cover a +1.5 spread. The odds for a Draw at 4.20 are long, indicating a clear winner is expected.

Ultimately, while the Blues might make it a competitive affair, the Lightning's overall strength, recent form, and the impact of their star players like Kucherov, even without Point, should be enough to secure the win.

Tampa Bay enters this matchup with significant momentum despite missing Brayden Point. Their recent road victories (2-1 at Pittsburgh, 5-1 at Philadelphia) demonstrate their ability to win away from home. Nikita Kucherov remains their offensive catalyst with a projected 3.6 shots and 69% chance for multiple points.

The Blues have struggled offensively, averaging just 2.5 goals per game. While Jordan Kyrou provides some scoring threat, St. Louis has been inconsistent, mixing shutout victories with blowout losses like their recent 3-7 defeat in Chicago.

AccuScore and BetQL models favor Tampa Bay with a 64% win probability, and the expected goaltending advantage with Vasilevskiy gives the Lightning a significant edge. The 1.55 line for Tampa Bay actually represents fair value considering their advantages in most statistical categories. While the Blues' 2.60 home underdog status might tempt some bettors, the Lightning's superior form makes them the smarter play.

The NHL clash between the St. Louis Blues and Tampa Bay Lightning promises fireworks on January 17, 2026, with Tampa entering as road favorites at 1.55. Analysts from AccuScore and BetQL peg the Lightning with a 64% win probability, forecasting dominance in shots (26-21) and elite goaltending from Andrei Vasilevskiy, who's poised to outshine St. Louis' netminder amid the Blues' shaky 2.5 goals-per-game offense.

Tampa's recent road surge—clutch 2-1 wins over Pittsburgh and a blowout 5-1 at Philly—highlights their depth, even with Brayden Point sidelined by injury and Philip Broberg questionable post-concussion. Nikita Kucherov remains a game-changer, boasting a 69% chance of multi-point magic and 3.6 shots expected, which could exploit St. Louis' defensive lapses seen in their 3-7 road drubbing at Chicago.

Fox Sports models predict a thriller at 4-3 for Tampa, leaning over 5.5 goals but covering the Blues' +1.5 spread. Yet, with the Lightning's hot streak and superior firepower, they're the smart play despite the 2.60 underdog price on St. Louis. For a $1 bet, back Tampa to grind out the win and build that bankroll.

Tampa Bay Lightning enter as strong favorites at 1.55, with analysts giving them a 64% win probability. Their road hot streak, including recent wins in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, offsets Brayden Point's injury, while Nikita Kucherov's offensive threat looms large.

St. Louis Blues, at 2.60, mix defensive grit with vulnerabilities, like the 3-7 blowout in Chicago. Computer models project a 4-3 Lightning win, pointing to a high-scoring clash where Vasilevskiy's goaltending and Tampa's depth should prevail.

This matchup between the St Louis Blues and the Tampa Bay Lightning presents an intriguing betting opportunity. The Lightning enter as heavy favorites with odds of 1.55, reflecting their strong form, including back-to-back road wins against Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Their offensive firepower remains formidable even without Brayden Point, thanks to Nikita Kucherov's projected multi-point performance. However, injuries to key players like Point and the questionable status of Philip Brogh could test their depth.

On the other side, the Blues offer tempting odds at 2.60, but their inconsistent offense—averaging just 2.5 goals per game—raises concerns. Jordan Kyrou’s scoring potential adds a spark, yet it may not be enough against a Lightning team that thrives on possession and goaltending excellence from Andrei Vasilevskiy. The draw option, listed at 4.20, seems less likely given the high-scoring tendencies suggested by Fox Sports’ projection of a 4-3 outcome.

Considering these factors, the smart money leans toward the Lightning despite the steep odds. Their recent dominance on the road, combined with Kucherov's expected impact, positions them well to overcome St. Louis' defensive efforts. Bettors eyeing value might consider pairing the Lightning win with the over 5.5 total goals market for added upside.