Blackhawks vs Blues Betting Preview: Predictions & Odds
The Chicago Blackhawks travel to St. Louis for a pivotal Central Division showdown against the Blues on Friday, December 12, 2025, at the Enterprise Center. This matchup features two teams heading in opposite directions—Chicago riding momentum from a convincing shutout victory, while St. Louis reels from back-to-back blowout defeats. With compelling betting angles on both sides and intriguing player prop opportunities, this contest promises value for sharp bettors willing to dig into the numbers.
Chicago Blackhawks Analysis: Building Momentum Despite Road Struggles
The Blackhawks enter this matchup with a respectable 13-11-6 record following their dominant 3-0 shutout victory over the New York Rangers. That performance showcased precisely what Chicago needs to compete—timely scoring and exceptional goaltending. The Hawks netted two goals during the second period before adding insurance in the third, while Spencer Knight delivered a flawless 21-save performance that marked his tenth victory of the campaign.
However, context matters significantly when evaluating Chicago’s recent form. Prior to that Rangers win, the Blackhawks endured brutal losses to Anaheim (7-1) and Los Angeles (6-0), exposing defensive vulnerabilities that have plagued them throughout the season. The team’s overall road performance tells a cautionary tale—they’ve dropped eight of their last eleven games and compiled a middling 6-6-3 away record.
Chicago’s offensive production has been balanced but unremarkable, averaging 2.97 goals per game while surrendering an identical amount defensively. Their special teams present a mixed bag: a respectable 22.2% power play conversion rate ranks thirteenth league-wide, while their penalty kill sits at a solid 83.8%. These numbers suggest competence without dominance.
Connor Bedard continues his impressive second-year campaign, leading the Hawks with 19 goals and 23 assists for 42 points through 30 games. The young phenom has found the back of the net in fourteen games this season, including four of his last six appearances. Tyler Bertuzzi provides secondary scoring with 16 goals and 10 assists, offering Chicago a dual-threat offensive attack that keeps opponents honest.
Spencer Knight’s projected start represents a significant advantage for Chicago. The netminder boasts a 10-6-5 record with a 2.50 goals-against average and .916 save percentage—numbers that demonstrate consistency and reliability when properly supported by his defense.
St. Louis Blues Breakdown: Struggling to Find Consistency at Home
The Blues limp into this contest with an 11-14-7 record after suffering consecutive demolitions that have exposed serious defensive deficiencies. Their most recent outing saw Nashville pummel them 7-2, with St. Louis briefly cutting the deficit to 2-1 before surrendering five of the final six goals. Prior to that embarrassment, Boston dispatched them 5-2, though the Blues did manage a 4-3 victory against Montreal sandwiched between those defeats.
St. Louis’ home performance has been particularly underwhelming—just 5-7-4 at Enterprise Center represents a considerable disappointment for a team that historically thrives with friendly ice. Their overall statistical profile reveals a struggling squad: 2.55 goals scored per game against 3.45 allowed, a woeful 19.8% power play percentage ranking twenty-eighth league-wide, and a penalty kill at 77.9% that ranks twenty-seventh.
The Blues’ offensive production falls squarely on Robert Thomas, who leads with six goals and 14 assists. Dylan Holloway contributes eight goals and nine assists, but beyond these two contributors, St. Louis lacks the firepower to consistently outpace opponents in high-scoring affairs.
Joel Hofer’s projected start presents concerns for Blues backers. The goaltender carries a 4-6-2 record with an unsightly 3.18 goals-against average and .891 save percentage. Those numbers indicate struggles with consistency and rebound control—precisely the vulnerabilities Chicago’s offensive weapons can exploit. Hofer’s recent performances have been particularly shaky, having allowed seven goals on just seven shots after replacing Jordan Binnington during the Nashville debacle.
Critical Betting Trends and Historical Patterns
Several significant trends emerge when analyzing this matchup from a betting perspective. The situational data reveals fascinating patterns that smart bettors should incorporate into their handicapping:
Chicago struggles following home victories—they’ve lost seventeen of their last nineteen road games immediately after winning at home. This trend suggests potential letdown scenarios where the Blackhawks fail to maintain intensity away from their building.
Home ice advantage has dominated Chicago’s recent schedule, with the home team winning each of the Blackhawks’ last three contests. Additionally, home teams have covered the puck line in all three games, while Chicago has failed to cover in three of their last four as road underdogs against Central Division opponents.
Conversely, Chicago has covered the puck line in seven of their last eight games as underdogs against Central rivals—a seemingly contradictory trend that actually highlights the Blackhawks’ ability to keep games competitive even when overmatched.
Total goals trends provide additional betting angles. Seven of Chicago’s last eight night games at Enterprise Center following victories have exceeded the total goals line. Furthermore, the “Over 1.5 Goals Period 3” market has connected in each of the Blackhawks’ last eight games following wins, suggesting Chicago’s contests tend to feature late-game scoring regardless of the final outcome.
Player Props Worth Monitoring Tonight
Several player prop markets offer compelling value for this Central Division clash:
Ilya Mikheyev has discovered his scoring touch at Enterprise Center, netting goals in each of Chicago’s last three visits to St. Louis. Given the Blues’ defensive struggles and Hofer’s inconsistency, Mikheyev’s anytime goal scorer prop merits serious consideration.
Connor Bedard continues performing at an elite level, recording at least one point in ten of his last eleven appearances as a road underdog. The Blues’ porous defensive structure plays directly into Bedard’s strengths, particularly when generating offense through transition opportunities.
Teuvo Teravainen has demonstrated playmaking excellence at Enterprise Center, registering assists in three of his last four games at the venue. His vision and passing ability could flourish against St. Louis’ compromised defensive zone coverage.
Matchup Analysis: Offense Versus Defense
This contest essentially pits Chicago’s inconsistent-but-capable offense against St. Louis’ demonstrably vulnerable defense. The Blues have surrendered twelve goals across their last two games and twenty-five over their last six contests—alarming statistics that suggest systemic defensive breakdowns rather than isolated incidents.
Chicago conversely has held opponents to two goals or fewer in two of their last four outings, demonstrating capable defensive stretches when properly focused. However, their road struggles following home victories cannot be dismissed—this represents a legitimate situational disadvantage that requires acknowledgment.
The goaltending matchup slightly favors Chicago, with Knight’s superior statistics providing confidence even in a road environment. Hofer’s recent performances have been catastrophic, and the Blues’ defensive structure provides minimal support for a goaltender already fighting confidence issues.
Special teams could swing momentum significantly. Chicago’s thirteenth-ranked power play faces St. Louis’ twenty-seventh-ranked penalty kill—a matchup that heavily favors the visitors. Conversely, the Blackhawks’ third-ranked penalty kill should neutralize St. Louis’ anemic twenty-eighth-ranked power play.
Betting Pick and Prediction Analysis
Despite Chicago carrying positive momentum from their shutout victory, several factors suggest caution when backing the Blackhawks straight up. Their historical road struggles following home wins, combined with their inconsistent defensive performances, create legitimate concern about their ability to secure points in hostile territory.
St. Louis enters desperate for results after consecutive blowout defeats, and desperation can fuel competitive urgency even for struggling teams. However, their defensive deficiencies and goaltending questions present exploitable weaknesses that Chicago’s offensive weapons should capitalize upon.
The total goals market offers the most compelling value in this matchup. Historical trends strongly support high-scoring affairs when these specific situational factors align—Chicago playing at Enterprise Center at night following a victory has consistently produced overs. Combined with St. Louis’ recent defensive breakdowns and Hofer’s struggles, the path toward an over result becomes increasingly clear.
Both offenses possess the capability to generate multiple scoring opportunities, and neither defensive unit has demonstrated consistent ability to limit quality chances. Chicago’s balanced attack featuring Bedard, Bertuzzi, and Mikheyev can exploit St. Louis’ compromised defensive structure, while the Blues’ desperate need for offense should produce aggressive forechecking and sustained offensive zone pressure.
The combination of defensive vulnerabilities, goaltending questions, and historical trends pointing toward high-scoring affairs at this specific venue creates a compelling case for over bettors. While Chicago’s road record following home victories presents concerns for moneyline backers, those same situational factors often correlate with high-event games featuring multiple goals.
Expert Pick: Over 5.5 Goals (-110)
The statistical evidence, situational trends, and recent performance indicators all align toward a higher-scoring contest. St. Louis’ defensive breakdowns over their last six games, Chicago’s historical tendency toward high-scoring road games at Enterprise Center following victories, and both teams’ special teams matchups all point toward goal production from both sides.
Key Insights: Your Burning Questions Answered
Will Connor Bedard continue his point streak as a road underdog?
Bedard has accumulated points in ten of his last eleven games when Chicago plays as an underdog away from home. Given St. Louis’ defensive struggles and the Blues’ inability to contain elite offensive talent recently, Bedard should find multiple opportunities to extend his impressive streak. His chemistry with linemates and ability to create offense through transition situations make him an excellent player prop target.
Can Spencer Knight maintain his shutout form against a desperate Blues offense?
While Knight delivered a flawless performance against the Rangers, expecting consecutive shutouts represents unrealistic expectations. St. Louis, despite their struggles, possesses offensive weapons capable of generating quality scoring chances, particularly on home ice where they feel increased pressure to respond. Knight should perform adequately, but the Blues will likely break through for multiple goals.
Does Chicago’s trend of losing road games following home wins outweigh their momentum?
This represents the central tension in handicapping this matchup. The Blackhawks’ seventeen losses in nineteen road games following home victories cannot be dismissed as statistical noise—it represents a legitimate pattern suggesting focus issues or letdown performances. However, St. Louis’ current defensive crisis and goaltending concerns may override Chicago’s historical tendencies.
Should bettors trust St. Louis at home given their disappointing 5-7-4 record at Enterprise Center?
The Blues’ home struggles create legitimate concerns about backing them as favorites, even against an inconsistent Chicago squad. Their inability to protect home ice throughout the season, combined with recent blowout defeats that likely damaged team confidence, suggests caution when considering St. Louis moneyline wagers.
What makes the over such a strong play in this specific matchup?
Multiple converging factors create an ideal environment for goals: St. Louis’ twenty-five goals allowed over six games, Hofer’s 3.18 GAA and .891 save percentage, Chicago’s historical tendency toward high-scoring games at Enterprise Center following wins, and both teams’ special teams matchups that favor offensive production. When this many indicators align toward offensive production, the over presents compelling value.
Is there value backing Chicago on the puck line at plus money?
Chicago has covered the puck line in seven of their last eight games as underdogs against Central Division opponents, suggesting they keep games competitive even when overmatched. However, their failure to cover in three of four recent road games as underdogs against Central rivals presents a contradictory data point. The puck line offers risk-reward appeal, but the straight over provides cleaner, more consistent value based on available trends.
