As the NHL regular season winds down, the Pittsburgh Penguins travel to the Enterprise Center to face the St. Louis Blues in a Tuesday night clash with significant implications for both franchises. While the Penguins have already punched their ticket to the postseason, the Blues are looking to capitalize on their late-season momentum in this cross-conference Blues and Penguins battle.
Penguins Look to Fine-Tune for the Postseason
The Pittsburgh Penguins (41-24-16) enter this matchup having recently secured their spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since the 2021-22 season. The clinching victory came on April 9 against the New Jersey Devils, a game that saw the legendary trio of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang all play pivotal roles. Since that milestone, the Penguins have shifted their focus toward health and consistency, though they have dropped back-to-back games while integrating different lineup looks.
Pittsburgh’s offense remains one of the most potent in the league, ranking third in total goals with 285 (an average of 3.5 per game). Sidney Crosby continues to defy age, leading the team with 74 points and extending his NHL record of 21 consecutive seasons averaging at least a point per game. On the blue line, Erik Karlsson has been a primary facilitator, racking up 15 goals and 51 assists on the season.
Blues’ Defensive Surge Since the Olympic Break
The St. Louis Blues (35-33-12) may have a more modest overall record, but they have been one of the league's most dangerous teams over the final stretch. Since the Olympic break, St. Louis has posted a 14-5-3 record, tied for the seventh-most points in the NHL over that span. Their success has been built on a foundation of elite goaltending and defensive discipline, allowing a league-low 1.95 goals per game since the break.
Offensively, the Blues have leaned on the emergence of Dylan Holloway, who has been on a tear with five goals and nine assists over his last 10 games. Robert Thomas remains the focal point of the attack, leading the team in scoring and providing the veteran leadership necessary to navigate a tough Western Conference schedule. The Blues have been particularly dominant at home when they find the back of the net, boasting a 28-10-5 record in games where they score at least three goals.
Blues and Penguins Injury Report and Lineup News
As is common in mid-April, both rosters are dealing with significant health concerns. The injury report will play a major role in how coaches Dan Muse and Drew Bannister manage their benches tonight.
Pittsburgh Penguins Injuries
- Anthony Mantha: Day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
- Ben Kindel: Day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
- Connor Clifton: Day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
- Noel Acciari: Day-to-day; missed the previous game against Washington.
- Filip Hallander: Currently listed as out.
The Penguins have been cautious with their veteran core, resting several key players over the weekend. With a playoff spot locked up, it is expected that Pittsburgh may continue to rotate players to ensure the primary roster is at 100% for the first round.
St. Louis Blues Injuries
- Colton Parayko: On Injured Reserve with back spasms; a significant loss for the Blues' defensive rotation.
- Tyler Tucker: On Injured Reserve with a lower-body injury sustained in mid-March.
- Robert Thomas: Listed as day-to-day but expected to be a game-time decision.
Head-to-Head and Betting Outlook
This is the second and final meeting between these two clubs this season. In their previous encounter, the Penguins walked away with a 6-3 victory, fueled by a two-goal performance from Bryan Rust. However, the venue change to St. Louis favors the Blues, who have won their last two home games against Pittsburgh while outscoring them 9-3.
Oddsmakers currently list the Blues as a -135 favorite on the moneyline, with the over/under set at 6 goals. Given the Blues' recent defensive prowess and the Penguins' potential to rest stars, a low-scoring affair at the Enterprise Center would not be surprising. For Pittsburgh, the goal is simple: get through 60 minutes of hockey without adding any new names to the injury report. For St. Louis, it is about maintaining the high-level play that has made them a top-10 team over the last two months.
Sources & Original Reporting
