Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues Preview
As the NHL season progresses, the Chicago Blackhawks will take on the St. Louis Blues in a Central Division clash on Saturday evening at 5 p.m. EDT in Chicago. This matchup comes off the heels of a recent setback for the Blackhawks, who suffered a 7-2 defeat to the Carolina Hurricanes, despite Anton Frondell scoring twice during that game.
Current Standings
Currently, the Blackhawks hold a record of 28 wins, 37 losses, and 14 overtime losses, which places them at the lower end of the Central Division standings. In division competitions, they have managed to secure 11 victories, while their performance tends to falter when they incur more penalties than their opponents, reflected in their 9-13-6 record under such conditions.
On the other side, the Blues come into this game with a balancing act at 33-33-12. Their struggles within the Central Division are evident, with just a 7-16-0 mark. However, the Blues thrive when they can light the lamp, boasting a solid 26-10-5 record in games where they score three goals or more.
Previous Encounters
This matchup will mark the fourth time this season that these two teams face off, with the Blackhawks emerging victorious in the prior encounter, defeating the Blues 7-3.
Individual Performances
In terms of individual performance, Frank Nazar of the Blackhawks leads his team with 15 goals and 26 assists, while Nick Lardis has contributed significantly with four goals and two assists over the last ten games. For the Blues, Robert Thomas stands out with 22 goals and 36 assists, and Dylan Holloway has found the net five times along with adding nine assists during the same stretch.
Recent Form and Injuries
Examining their recent forms, the Blackhawks have struggled, posting a 2-6-2 record in the last ten, averaging only 2.3 goals per game, while conceding 3.9 goals on average. Conversely, the Blues have fared better with a 6-3-1 record, scoring three goals per game and allowing only two.
In terms of injuries, the Blackhawks will miss key players including Shea Weber and Artyom Levshunov, who are out for the season due to various injuries. Other absences include Oliver Moore and Matt Grzelcyk, while the Blues appear to be injury-free heading into the game.
Conclusion
Fans can expect an engaging rivalry matchup as both teams vie for important points in the standings.
