The St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks renew their Central Division rivalry on Wednesday night at Enterprise Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 9:30 PM ET. St. Louis enters as the heavy favorite at -235 on the moneyline, while the Blackhawks come in at +195. The total is set at 6 goals. St. Louis sits at 2-1-0 after a strong road swing through Western Canada, while Chicago brings a 1-2-1 record after picking up its first win of the season.
The Blues have dominated this matchup over the last few years, taking eight of the last ten meetings against Chicago. They won 4-0 when these teams met in the preseason and have averaged nearly five goals per game against the Blackhawks in their last five regular-season wins. For Chicago, this matchup presents an early-season test to measure their progress under new head coach Jeff Blashill, who’s working to mold a young roster into a more structured group.
STL Preview – Blues Riding Road Momentum
St. Louis has looked sharper since its season-opening loss to Minnesota. The Blues regrouped on the road with a 4-2 win in Calgary and a 5-2 win in Vancouver, rediscovering their rhythm on both ends of the ice. Captain Brayden Schenn emphasized the importance of playing with energy, noting the team’s physical response after the tough start. The line of Schenn, Jake Neighbours, and Jordan Kyrou has started to click, generating consistent offensive pressure over the last two outings.
Jake Neighbours has been one of the team’s early surprises, scoring three goals in the first three games. Rookie forward Jimmy Snuggerud has also impressed, posting two goals and an assist, including a two-goal night against the Canucks. Coach Jim Montgomery praised Snuggerud’s play around the net and his ability to win puck battles, calling him one of the team’s most active forwards through the first week of the season.
Newcomers Pius Suter and Nick Bjugstad have been reliable in the bottom six, combining for two goals and adding key defensive shifts. The Blues are still without Alexey Toropchenko and Milan Lucic, who are both day-to-day with minor injuries, and forward Oskar Sundqvist remains out with a lower-body issue. Defensively, the Blues have allowed an average of 3.0 goals per game but are improving each night. Jordan Binnington is expected to start in goal again after posting strong back-to-back wins. He’s recorded a .915 save percentage so far and looked confident controlling rebounds on the last road trip.
The Blues’ special teams are beginning to take shape as well. Their power play sits at 15.4%, and the penalty kill has been steady at 80%. As they return home, St. Louis will look to maintain their recent scoring pace and feed off the crowd’s energy. Another win would push them above .500 for the first time this season and reinforce their spot among the Central’s early contenders.
CHI Preview – Blackhawks Aiming to Build Off First Win
Chicago snapped its early losing streak with a 3-1 win over the Utah Mammoth on Monday, giving the young group a much-needed confidence boost. Spencer Knight made 22 saves in the win, and the team played one of its most disciplined games of the season. After a 0-2-1 start that included close losses to Montreal and Boston, the Blackhawks are beginning to settle into coach Jeff Blashill’s system.
Teuvo Teravainen and rookie Frank Nazar have been Chicago’s top playmakers so far, each tallying five points through four games. Connor Bedard continues to show flashes of his elite skill, with two goals and an assist, while veteran Andre Burakovsky has chipped in with two goals of his own. Chicago’s main issue has been shot generation — they rank near the bottom of the league at under 20 shots per game — but the team has been more selective and efficient with scoring chances over the last two contests.
Spencer Knight is expected to start again in goal, having posted a .920 save percentage across three appearances. His stability has been crucial for a defense that’s still finding its chemistry. The blue line, led by Seth Jones and Kevin Korchinski, has shown improvement but continues to allow too many high-danger chances in transition. Chicago’s penalty kill has been solid at 80%, but the power play remains inconsistent, scoring just two goals on 13 chances (15.4%).
Injuries continue to test the team’s depth. Laurent Brossoit (hip), Joey Anderson (lower body), Landon Slaggert (lower body), and Shea Weber (ankle) are all out, limiting Chicago’s lineup flexibility. Jason Dickinson returned against Utah after missing one game and provided a needed veteran presence. The Blackhawks know they’ll need to be sharper defensively and more aggressive on the forecheck if they want to slow down St. Louis’ top line and compete for a road win.
Betting Prediction
St. Louis enters this matchup in better form and with more depth on both sides of the puck. The Blues’ offense is rolling with 9 goals in their last two games, while Chicago is still trying to find consistency in their attack. St. Louis has also owned this matchup recently, winning eight of the last ten head-to-head meetings, including several by multiple goals.
Chicago has been strong against the puck line early (4-0 ATS), but that streak may not hold against a surging St. Louis team returning home with confidence. The Blues’ offense should continue to capitalize on Chicago’s defensive lapses, and Binnington’s recent form gives them a big edge in goal. The total at 6 goals could go over if Chicago can chip in a couple, but the safer play remains the home side on the puck line.
Pick: St. Louis Blues -1.5 (+105)
Predicted Score: St. Louis 5, Chicago 2
Total Prediction: Over 6 goals (-102)
