Blues and Blackhawks Clash for Final Time This Season

In a showdown steeped in rivalry, the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks will meet for the last time this season on Saturday at 4 p.m. at the United Center. The Blues, currently at 33-33-12, face a critical juncture in their campaign, while the Blackhawks, sitting at 28-37-14, have already been eliminated from playoff contention for the sixth consecutive season.

The stakes are high for St. Louis, which made a commendable push in the standings, narrowing the gap to just three points from a playoff spot as recently as April 3. However, with only four games remaining and a seven-point deficit to the Los Angeles Kings, the Blues need to win out to keep their postseason hopes alive. A loss in regulation or a Kings victory on Saturday would officially end their playoff aspirations, a reality that looms larger after recent home losses to the Colorado Avalanche and Winnipeg Jets.

“It’s pride at this point,” Blues defenseman Colton Parayko remarked. “It’s a privilege to play in this league every single day you show up to the rink and play in the NHL. It’s even more special to wear the Bluenote. I’ve been fortunate to do it for 11 years and I don’t take that lightly.” Parayko emphasized the importance of showing up and playing for the team, a sentiment echoed by Blues coach Jim Montgomery.

Montgomery shared his appreciation for being part of the NHL and the St. Louis Blues, highlighting the collective effort behind the scenes that contributes to the team’s success. “We’re a real team,” he stated after the team’s picture day and practice ahead of the matchup.

The season series has seen the Blackhawks take two of the three encounters, including a decisive 7-3 victory on home ice back on January 7. Both teams split their earlier games in St. Louis, setting the stage for a competitive finale.

On the offensive front, the Blues have been buoyed by the performances of Robert Thomas and Dylan Holloway. Thomas recently extended his point streak to seven games, accumulating 28 points in his last 20 outings. Montgomery praised Thomas for his remarkable consistency, noting, “This is two years in a row where in the month of March he’s probably if not the best, one of the top three players in the NHL.” Meanwhile, Holloway has also found his rhythm, contributing significantly with 13 points in his last eight games.

In terms of lineup adjustments, the Blues will see Pius Suter and Oskar Sundqvist stepping into the fourth line, replacing Jack Finley and Nathan Walker. Montgomery acknowledged the challenges that come with being in and out of the lineup, stating, “It’s really hard because you don’t know when you’re playing.” Sundqvist, in particular, faces uncertainty as he approaches unrestricted free agency this July, having played in just 50 games this season, his fewest since an ACL injury in 2020-21.

“He’s the same guy that’s just continually getting pucks, getting it back, taking hits, giving hits,” Montgomery said of Sundqvist. “He will make sure he is in the right spot so that the team has success.”

The projected lineup for the Blues features Dylan Holloway, Robert Thomas, and Jimmy Snuggerud on the top line, while Joel Hofer is expected to start in goal. The Blackhawks will counter with their own set of forwards led by rookie Connor Bedard, with Spencer Knight slated to take the crease.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.