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Chicago (13-11-6) at St. Louis (11-14-7)
- When: Dec 12 2025, 8:00 PM
- Where: Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO, USA
- TV: ESPN+/Hulu
Chicago vs St. Louis NHL Preview & Pick
Moneyline: St. Louis -125
Spread: St. Louis -1.5 (+190)
Total: 6.0
St Louis Blues Breakdown
The Blues return home as a -125 moneyline favorite, but let us be honest, they are not exactly entering this one with the swagger of a team that just conquered the hockey universe. They are entering with the swagger of someone who forgot their wallet at the grocery store and is quietly hoping nobody notices. After getting whacked 7-2 by Nashville, their defensive zone looked less like a structured system and more like a live demonstration of chaos theory.
St Louis has dropped four of six and has allowed a combined 12 goals in their last two outings. That is not a typo. That is a cry for help. Coach Jim Montgomery basically said the team needs to rediscover things like net front battles, boxing out and maybe remembering the goalie would appreciate not being abandoned like an expired carton of milk in the back of the fridge.
There was one bright moment though. Robby Fabbri made his season debut and apparently played like he drank three espresso shots before puck drop. Montgomery called him their best forward which says a lot since Fabbri just walked in off the street as injuries continue to ravage the roster.
Still, the scheduling spot favors St Louis. They are embarrassed, irritated and playing a rival they lost to earlier this season. Motivation will not be a problem. Execution however, we shall see.
Chicago Blackhawks Breakdown
Chicago arrives looking surprisingly competent after a 3-0 shutdown of the New York Rangers, which nobody on earth predicted, including the Blackhawks themselves probably. This came immediately after losing two West Coast games by a combined 13-1, which absolutely looked like someone accidentally set the difficulty slider to impossible.
Frank Nazar has suddenly turned into a model of respectable two way play even without scoring recently, and Connor Bedard remains allergic to boring shifts. The Hawks have enough youthful chaos that if St Louis shows up sleepy, things could get interesting fast.
They also already hammered St Louis 8-3 earlier this season with Hofer giving up seven goals. This memory may return for Hofer like a horror movie flashback.
Prediction and Betting Outlook
Both teams are wild cards right now, but situationally St Louis catches Chicago at a good time. After that hard travel into this matchup, Chicago may not recreate their perfect defensive performance. Expect goals, mistakes and some glorious hockey nonsense.
Score Prediction: Blues 4, Blackhawks 3
Pick: St Louis (-125)
Total: Over 6.0 (-103)
- NHL Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
