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St. Louis Blues vs Chicago Blackhawks Picks and Predictions – January 7, 2026
Two Central Division rivals on the rise meet Wednesday night as the St. Louis Blues visit the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. Puck drops at 8:00 p.m. ET, and both teams are coming off weekend wins as they chase ground in the Western Conference playoff race.
St. Louis (19-17-5) swept Vegas and Montreal at home last week and now looks to win three straight for the first time all season. The Blues sit just outside the wild card picture, clinging to slim separation from Chicago, who has won three in a row — all against playoff-caliber opponents.
These teams have split two matchups this season. Chicago routed the Blues 8-3 back in October before St. Louis responded with a 3-2 win in December. With Connor Bedard still out but nearing return, the Hawks will rely again on veteran Tyler Bertuzzi to lead the charge after his OT hat trick vs Vegas.
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St. Louis Blues vs Chicago Blackhawks Odds
Below are the current odds for Wednesday’s showdown. Be sure to monitor the latest NHL odds for updated lines and goalie confirmations.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Blues | -125 | -1.5 (+175) | O 6.5 (-110) |
| Chicago Blackhawks | +104 | +1.5 (-210) | U 6.5 (-110) |
St. Louis Blues Betting Form
For the first time all season, St. Louis is playing with some real confidence. The Blues handled Vegas and Montreal back-to-back and did it with discipline, depth scoring, and improved goaltending. They’re now 3-1-1 in their last five and finally showing signs of cohesion under pressure.
Brayden Schenn has sparked the offense lately, and Jordan Binnington bounced back with a 26-save shutout on Saturday after a rough December stretch. The Blues are still vulnerable on the road, but their last trip through the Central produced a 4-1 win in Minnesota. Defensively, they’re still middle of the pack at 5-on-5, but the penalty kill has been sharper recently.
Joel Hofer has started both prior games against Chicago this year with wildly different results. Don’t be surprised if Binnington gets the nod here as St. Louis looks to ride momentum on a critical road swing.
Check the St. Louis Blues stats and results for deeper trends. For lineup news and availability, refer to the St. Louis Blues injury report.
Chicago Blackhawks Betting Form
Don’t look now, but the Blackhawks are playing their best hockey of the season. They’ve beaten Dallas, Washington, and Vegas in consecutive games — all by one goal — and are finding a rhythm even without Bedard. Chicago has climbed back to within striking distance in the West and has looked like a complete team for the first time in months.
Tyler Bertuzzi is red-hot after a hat trick Sunday and now leads the team with 22 goals. The energy line has been effective, and defensively, the Hawks have cut down on high-danger chances compared to earlier in the year. They’ve also improved at home, winning four of their last six at the United Center.
Goaltending is still shaky at times, but the system is tighter. Chicago has cashed as an underdog in three straight and is 5-2 in its last seven overall.
You can dig into the Chicago Blackhawks schedule and stats for more performance insights. For injury developments — including Bedard’s status — check the Chicago Blackhawks injury report.
St. Louis Blues vs Chicago Blackhawks Matchup Breakdown
This game is tighter than the line suggests. St. Louis has the rest and depth edge, but Chicago is surging and has already embarrassed the Blues once this season. Without Bedard, the Blackhawks rely more on balanced effort and opportunistic finishing, and it’s working.
Momentum: Both teams on 2+ game win streaks
Goaltending edge: Slightly favors St. Louis if Binnington starts
Special Teams: Blues’ PK better; power plays are even
Schedule: First game of a road trip for St. Louis; Chicago is at home with three days off
The total of 6.5 looks sharp. Both teams have had recent games clear that mark, but this could turn tighter depending on goaltenders. That said, neither team is dominant enough to lay the puck line confidently, so it likely comes down to in-game discipline and who converts in tight.
Get deeper situational tips in our NHL betting guide.
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St. Louis Blues vs Chicago Blackhawks Predictions and Best Bets
This is a good price on St. Louis in a spot where motivation is high. They’ve yet to string three wins together and know this road trip could swing their playoff push. Chicago’s been gritty and confident, but their three recent wins came by razor-thin margins.
If Binnington starts, the edge grows. If it’s Hofer, there’s more risk — he’s struggled against Chicago. Either way, this is a “prove it” game for St. Louis and they’re slightly better at controlling play at 5-on-5.
As for the total, lean Under 6.5 with both teams likely to play a tighter, playoff-style pace.
Best Bet: St. Louis Blues moneyline (-125).
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