The final weekend of the regular season has arrived, and the pressure is on. The St. Louis Blues are teetering on the brink of playoff elimination. They are seven points back of the LA Kings, who are in the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference, with four games remaining.
They must seize a victory against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday afternoon, or that could be the end of their playoff hopes.
Blues’ Gameday Preview: Blues vs. Blackhawks
Saturday’s matchup marks the fourth and final meeting between the rivals. The Blackhawks have taken two of three games, notching an 8-3 win in St. Louis and a 7-3 win in Chicago.
The Blackhawks lead the all-time series 192-166-35-7 and are looking for their first season-series win over the Blues since 2018-19.
Last Game: Blues vs. Winnipeg Jets
On Thursday, the Blues fell 3-2 to the Winnipeg Jets. Dylan Holloway provided St. Louis with an early power-play goal, but the team’s power play struggled afterward, finishing 1-5, with only one shot over the final four opportunities. This continues a downward trend on special teams. This loss, the team’s second straight, lowered their already slim playoff chances.
Projected Lineup vs. Blackhawks (Subject to Change)
- Dylan Holloway – Robert Thomas – Jimmy Snuggerud
- Jake Neighbours – Pavel Buchnevich – Jonatan Berggren
- Otto Stenberg – Dalibor Dvorsky – Jordan Kyrou
- Alexey Toropchenko – Jack Finley – Nathan Walker
- Philip Broberg – Logan Mailloux
- Theo Lindstein – Colton Parayko
- Cam Fowler – Tyler Tucker
- Joel Hofer/Jordan Binnington
After Pius Suter was a healthy scratch on Thursday, Stenberg entered the lineup. There’s a chance head coach Jim Montgomery could re-insert Suter for Saturday, but that remains to be seen. For updated lineups, be sure to check the link above periodically.
Blues Team Leaders
Thomas leads St. Louis in points (58), goals (22), assists (39), and plus/minus (plus-19). Tucker leads with 81 penalty minutes. In goal, Hofer continues to lead in the three major categories: 13 wins, a 2.58 goals-against average (GAA), and a .910 save percentage (SV%).
Storyline #1 – Do Not Underestimate Chicago
The Blackhawks’ on-ice product reflects their rebuilding struggles. The team has lost seven of its last eight games and holds the second-best odds of winning the draft lottery.
Related: 2026 NHL Draft Guide
The Blues have no room for mistakes. Chicago, though rebuilding, is dangerous—they want to finish strong, while the Blues must win to keep their season alive, and there is nothing riskier than facing a team with nothing to lose.
All season, the Blackhawks have matched up well against the Blues, blowing them out twice (including once in St. Louis). Even the Blues’ lone win was a narrow 3-2 final. Is this a game the Blues should win? Yes. Is it a trap game? Yes.
Storyline #2 – Blues Need Scoring Aside from the “Big Three”
Since April Fool’s Day, the Blues have scored 13 goals, and the team’s top line of Thomas, Snuggerud, and Holloway accounted for nine of them. While top-line production is important, the team needs more depth scoring.
When only one line scores, the opposition can focus on shutting that line down, and it’s that much easier when their opponent has the last change at home. Expect the Blackhawks to try to neutralize that group tonight. The Blues need more players to start scoring now. Saturday is the last, crucial chance for that to happen.
Storyline #3 – The Tragic Number
Unfortunately, the Blues could be eliminated from the postseason by the end of Friday’s contests. Below are the specific scenarios that would result in their elimination.
- If the Blues lose to the Blackhawks in regulation, they are eliminated from playoff contention.
- If the Los Angeles Kings beat the Edmonton Oilers, the Blues will be eliminated, regardless of their own result.
- If the Blues lose to the Blackhawks in overtime or a shootout, and the Oilers beat the Kings in overtime or a shootout, the Blues are eliminated.
- If the Blues lose to the Blackhawks in overtime or a shootout, and the Nashville Predators beat the Minnesota Wild, the Blues are eliminated.
- If the Blues lose to the Blackhawks in overtime or a shootout, the San Jose Sharks defeat the Vancouver Canucks, and the Jets defeat the Philadelphia Flyers, the Blues are eliminated.
- If the Blues lose in overtime or a shootout to the Blackhawks, the Canucks beat the Sharks in overtime, or a shootout, and the Jets beat the Flyers, then the Blues are eliminated.
Confused? So am I.
The Blues have just a 0.6% of making the postseason. Every shift is do-or-die, but as Lloyd Christmas said, “So, you’re telling me there’s a chance!”
How to Watch/Listen
The game starts at 4:00 P.M. Central. Watch on FanDuel Sports Midwest or listen on 101 ESPN.
Be sure to check back in with The Hockey Writers for additional Blues coverage and league-wide content.
