Welcome to another edition of NHL Predictions! We are approaching the final month of the season. The race for the Stanley Cup Playoffs is a full swing for some teams. For others, their eyes are on 2025-26. Our prediction today looks at a team from each category. The St. Louis Blues, looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2022, visit the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are set to miss the playoffs for the third straight season.
Time: 7:00 P.M. EDT
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Midwest, SportsNet Pittsburgh
The Blue Note and the Pens joined the NHL at the same time in 1967. While the Blues lead the all-time series, they have not won a season series against the Penguins since the 2013-14 season. Last season, the teams split the series, with each home team winning 4-2.
At the beginning of February, it seemed the Blues were on their way to selling at the trade deadline. Since the 4 Nations Face-Off, the Blues have been one of the best teams in the league. Instead of selling last Friday, the Blues are looking at a spot in the playoffs.
The Blues lost their last game in overtime, 2-1. Joel Hofer was outstanding in goal and Nick Leddy scored in the third period to force overtime, which ensured the Blues a point. Now, the team heads into Pittsburgh after four days off. While for some teams on a roll, a lengthy break could disrupt their momentum. However, for the Blues, this time off may have came at a right time. The team found out Thursday that Colton Parayko will miss the next six weeks due to injury. The Blues had to rush to get a lineup out for Friday and Saturday.
This time off may have given Jim Montgomery time to assess his options at defence for the remainder of the season. There is no one on the roster who can replace what Parayko brings to the team. However, Montgomery will hope to find someone who can give it their best shot. It will be interesting to see how Montgomery sets up his defence for Thursday following this time off. On the same token, it will be interesting to see who can step up to the plate in Parayko’s abscence.
The Penguins may not headed to the playoffs, but they are playing good hockey against playoff-caliber teams. On Sunday, the Pens went into Minnesota and won. On Tuesday, the Pens returned home and defeated Vegas in overtime. For the wrestling fans out there, the Penguins may be feeling like Goldberg right now. They are grabbing the microphone and shouting, “who’s next?”
Well, the Blues are next. Sidney Crosby and the Penguins are going to look to keep their momentum going and hit the Blues with a metaphorical “Jackhammer”. The Penguins are playing for pride right now. That might make them one of the most dangerous teams in the NHL.
There is sometimes nothing scarier than a team with nothing to play for.
The Blues are down a top defenceman. The Penguins are playing for nothing but are playing really well. This makes for a tough prediction. Do the Penguins do to the Blues what Goldberg did to Bobby Lashley in 2021? Or, do the Blues do to the Penguins what Brock Lesnar did the Goldberg at Wresltemania 33?
We think the Blues are taking the Penguins to Suplex City!
Blues win, 3-2.
The over/under is set at 5.5 goals. We are taking just under with five goals.
For prop bets, we are taking the former Penguin Oskar Sundqvist as an anytime-scorer for the Blues. For the Penguins, we are taking their captain.
Main Photo: Charles LeClaire- Imagn Images
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