Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues: A Rivalry Rekindled
The Chicago Blackhawks are set to face off against the St. Louis Blues this Wednesday night, rekindling an in-state rivalry. Their previous encounter ended tumultuously on December 12, when Connor Bedard suffered an injury just before the final buzzer, leaving him sidelined since. Although Bedard won’t participate in this matchup, his head coach, Jeff Blashill, indicated that he’s considered day-to-day and could return on Friday against the Washington Capitals.
Season Performance and Matchup Analysis
As the teams prepare for this game, they find themselves with mirrored results from their earlier skirmishes this season. The Blues claimed a narrow 3-2 victory in their last meeting, while the Blackhawks decisively won the first showdown on October 15 with a score of 8-3, both matches being hosted in St. Louis.
Analyzing the current status of St. Louis, the Blues have shown promising improvement of late. They are coming off two consecutive victories and have garnered a record of 5 wins, 4 losses, and 1 overtime loss over the past 10 games. With a season record of 17 wins, 18 losses, and 8 overtime losses, they remain below the NHL .500 mark but are only three points shy of a playoff spot.
The Blues’ lineup is noteworthy, showcasing talents like Robert Thomas, whose performance is pivotal for the team’s success. If Thomas excels, it often inspires his teammates to elevate their game as well. His matchup against the Blackhawks’ top defensive pairings, which include Philip Broberg and Colton Parayko, will be crucial.
On the other side, the Blackhawks are riding a positive momentum with a winning streak of three games. After the holiday recess, they’ve shown a notable resurgence in performance, once again making themselves contenders in a competitive Western Conference.
While Connor Bedard continues his recovery, the Blackhawks’ roster has adapted effectively, relying on the contributions of players such as Andre Burakovsky, Ilya Mikheyev, and Tyler Bertuzzi to maintain their offensive output. With Spencer Knight starting as goalie, expectations are high, especially following his solid previous appearances.
Historical Context and Broadcast Information
Historically, the Blues have turned around poor starts to make playoff pushes, as seen last season and back in 2018-19, when they clinched the Stanley Cup. A victory against Chicago on Wednesday could position them just one point from playoff contention, underscoring the significance of this matchup.
Fans can catch the excitement live on AM 720 WGN in Chicago or watch on national platforms including TNT, TruTV, and HBO Max. The game is set to begin just after 8:30 PM CT. For continued coverage on the Blackhawks, including news, features, and game-day updates, visit The Hockey News.
For subscription details or access to past issues, check out THN.com/free, and consider subscribing to their newsletter for the latest hockey news.
