Saint Louis Blues vs Chicago Blackhawks Pick and Prediction for Wednesday January 7 2025
The St. Louis Blues visit the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, for a Central Division showdown. This rivalry matchup, airing on TNT, truTV, and HBO Max at 9:30 PM EST, features two teams trending upward as they both look to secure their first three-game winning streak of the season. For expert analysis and daily wagering insights on the full slate of NHL action, be sure to check out the latest free NHL picks over at Winners and Whiners.
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St. Louis Blues Riding Defensive Success
The Blues enter tonight's contest with a 17-18-8 record after securing back-to-back victories, including a clinical 2-0 shutout of Montreal on Saturday. St. Louis has leaned heavily on improved defensive structure and timely scoring to stay relevant in the Central Division race. While they have struggled on the road (7-9-3) this season, their recent form suggests a team finding its identity under pressure.
Offensively, St. Louis averages 2.49 goals per game, a mark they’ll need to improve to climb the standings. Their power play operates at a 17.3% clip, which has been inconsistent but showed life in recent games. Defensively, they allow 3.35 goals per game, but that number is a bit skewed by early-season struggles; over their last five games, they’ve surrendered an average of just 2.6 goals.
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Tony Karpinski | +2,976.00 |
| 2 |  Joe Duffy | +2,595.00 |
| 3 |  The Insiders Room | +2,320.00 |
| 4 |  Mark Ruelle | +1,627.00 |
| 5 |  Jackie Mack | +1,451.00 |
The Blues' lineup will be missing several key depth pieces. A center, Pius Suter, is on Injured Reserve with an ankle injury and is not expected back until late January. The team is also dealing with other injuries veteran forward and a young defenseman, both of whom have been ruled out for at last check for tonight.
Chicago Blackhawks Surging Behind New Scoring Leader
The Blackhawks come into this game with a 17-18-7 record and a wave of momentum following three straight wins. Most recently, they pulled off a dramatic 3-2 overtime victory against the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday. Chicago has found a second wind lately, winning three in a row despite being without their superstar rookie center for nearly a month.
Chicago’s offense averages 2.76 goals per game, and their power play has been a bright spot at 21.2%. Defensively, the Blackhawks have been more disciplined at home, anchored by a penalty kill that ranks near the top of the division at 83.8%.
The biggest news in Chicago is the return of their rookie phenom, Connor Bedard, to practice on Tuesday. While he participated in non-contact drills, head coach Jeff Blashill has officially ruled him OUT for tonight's game, targeting a possible return this weekend. The Blackhawks also remain without a couple of other players who are battling long term injuries.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues Prediction
This is a classic "battle of the hot hands." St. Louis has played a much tighter defensive game lately, while Chicago has found a way to win close games, going 6-7-4 in one-goal contests this season. The Blues won the previous meeting 3-2 in December, a game that saw the Blackhawks' young star exit with a shoulder injury. Tonight, the rest advantage and the "revenge factor" favor Chicago at the United Center.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues ATS Pick
- Pick: Chicago Blackhawks +1.5 (-258)
While the Blues are slight favorites, Chicago has been excellent at keeping games close, especially during their current winning streak. The Blackhawks are 9-8-4 at home and have a goaltender playing at a high level (12 wins, .910 SV%). With the winger who scored the recent hat trick playing some of the best hockey of his career, expect Chicago to either win outright or keep this within a single goal.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues Total Pick
- Pick: Under 5.5 (-115)
Both teams have trended toward low-scoring affairs recently. The Blues’ last two wins saw totals of 2 and 7, while Chicago’s last two wins were identical 3-2 scores. With the Blues missing scoring depth and Chicago still missing their primary playmaker, this has the makings of a goaltending duel. Combined with the rivalry intensity often leading to a tighter checking game, the Under is the smart play.
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