Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues Prediction, NHL Odds
After a 7-2 thumping on Thursday, the St. Louis Blues return home on Friday looking to rebound against their Central Division rival, the Chicago Blackhawks.
St. Louis has now dropped back-to-back games as it slips further out of playoff contention. Chicago just snapped a two-game skid of its own and has won just three of its past 10 contests.
The NHL odds have the Blues as the -130 favourite to win on Friday night, with the total sitting at an even six goals. Puck Drop from Enterprise Center is set for 8 p.m. EST.
Blackhawks vs. Blues NHL Betting Odds
The Hawks and Blues are meeting for the second time this season after Chicago smoked St. Louis 8-3 way back in October. Connor Bedard notched three assists in the game, while Lukas Reichel had a goal and a three-point night of his own. The win snapped a streak of six straight losses against the Blues dating back to December of 2023. In their past seven meetings, the OVER is 6-1, with St. Louis covering the spread five times.
It’s been 30 games into their schedule, and the Blackhawks have been surprisingly good this season, covering the spread in 23 games, making them the best team in the league against the spread. They got the cover in their most recent game after getting blown out in back-to-back games. They have been in high-scoring contests lately, hitting the UNDER just three times in their past 10 games.
The Blues have hit the OVER in three straight and five times in their past eight games, bringing their record to 16-16 on the season. St. Louis’ defensive numbers are definitely raising concerns, giving up 3.56 goals per game, which is second-worst in the league. They have given up four or more in four of their past six outings.
Chicago Blackhawks
After getting embarrassed in back-to-back games in California, the Hawks got back in the win column Wednesday when they hosted the New York Rangers. They scored just one goal in their two games before Wednesday, and a scoreless first 20 minutes versus the Rangers had fans nervous. Defenceman Louis Crevier found the back of the net shorthanded to get the offence going in the second, then Connor Bedard (19th) scored before the end of the period. Tyler Bertuzzi (16th) scored in the third, and Spencer Knight turned aside all 21 shots to give Chicago the 3-0 victory.
The shutout was Knight’s second of the season, tying him for third in the league. Combine that with his .916 save percentage (eighth-best), and much of the Hawks’ success can be credited to him. If he and Chicago can keep this going, he could be in consideration for the Vezina Trophy. The NHL futures board has given him the fifth-best odds to win the trophy at +1200.
St. Louis Blues
The Blues took their worst loss of the season Thursday in Nashville and have no time to dwell on defeat as they are right back in action Friday at home. Sitting just one spot ahead of the Predators in the Central Division, Thursday night’s contest was an important four-point game. The Blues were the favourite to win that one, but looked horrible in a 7-2 loss.
Nashville pulled ahead 2-0 in the middle part of the first period, scoring two goals in less than three minutes, going into the second up two. Rookie 27-year-old Hugh McGing scored his first career goal early in the second, giving the Blues some hope and cutting the lead in half. The good times were short-lived as the Preds answered with three consecutive goals, going up 5-1. Robert Thomas scored his seventh of the season to extend his point streak to three games, but Nashville did not lose any steam, taking the game 7-2 at the final horn.
St. Louis is opening a four-game homestand Friday, looking to improve their discouraging record at Enterprise Center. They have won just five of their 16 games at home this season.
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