Puck drop is scheduled for 5:00 PM EST
Venue: Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO
TV: FDSNMW (FanDuel Sports Network Midwest), MSG, ESPN+
A late-Saturday night clash between two struggling squads features the road-weary New Jersey Devils visiting the St. Louis Blues. Both teams sit near the bottom of their respective conferences (Devils 7th in Metropolitan/East, Blues 8th in Central/West), well outside playoff contention, making this a battle for pride, development, and potential lottery positioning in a disappointing season for both franchises.
Team Context
- Devils: 28-29-2 (58 points), 7th Metropolitan / bottom-half Eastern Conference. Poor offensive output (2.48-2.5 GF/G, near league-worst) offset by middling defense (3.05 GA/G). Road record weak at 15-16-0.
- Blues: 21-28-9 (~51 points), 8th Central / bottom Western Conference. Negative goal differential heavy, allowing 3.47-3.51 GA/G (bottom-10 league-wide). Home record decent at 14-11-6, but overall struggles persist.
Recent Form
Devils are mired in a five-game losing streak, most recently falling 1-4 at Pittsburgh on Feb. 26 (post-Olympic break opener). They’ve scored sparingly (averaging under 2 goals in the skid) with defensive breakdowns late. Last 10 games reflect broader season woes: poor special teams and inability to close out periods.
Blues showed life coming out of the break with a strong 5-1 home win over Seattle on Feb. 26 (Dylan Holloway’s first NHL hat trick plus an assist in his return from IR). However, inconsistency has plagued them all year; they’re hovering around .500 in recent stretches but benefit from home ice and returning pieces.
Injury Report
Devils
- Luke Hughes (D) – Shoulder, IR/LTIR, out until at least Feb. 28 (game-time decision; long-term absence impacting blue-line mobility).
- Stefan Noesen (RW) – Knee (surgery), LTIR, out until at least mid-March.
- Jack Hughes (C) – Lower-body (earlier evaluation ongoing; missed games in early Feb but status unclear for this trip—assume questionable or out based on recent patterns).
Depth forwards and defense thinned; reliance on Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Timo Meier for offense.
Blues
- Robert Thomas (C) – Leg (procedure earlier) + personal matter leave of absence; expected back Feb. 28 or soon after (game-time decision; massive loss if absent—team’s top playmaker).
- Oskar Sundqvist (C) – Upper-body (post-break surgery), day-to-day/questionable.
- Dylan Holloway (LW) – Ankle, returned Feb. 26 with hat trick—healthy and hot.
Joel Hofer likely in net; Jordan Kyrou, Pavel Buchnevich provide scoring punch.
Key Player Matchups
- Goaltending: Devils’ netminders (likely Jake Allen or backup) face high shot volume (GAA ~3.0+); Blues’ Joel Hofer solid in recent starts (.900+ SV% possible). Edge to St. Louis if Hofer continues form.
- Top Centers: Nico Hischier (NJD – primary driver) vs. Robert Thomas (STL – if playing; elite playmaker) or Pavel Buchnevich line. Hischier’s two-way play key for Devils.
- Scoring Wings/Depth: Jesper Bratt/Timo Meier (NJD) vs. Jordan Kyrou (STL – speed threat) and Dylan Holloway (post-injury surge). Blues’ physical forecheck could disrupt Devils’ transition.
- Defense: Devils missing Hughes mobility; Blues’ Justin Faulk anchors a group allowing too many chances but solid at home.
Special teams: Devils ~20% PP (middling), 79.5% PK; Blues weaker at ~17.8% PP and 73% PK (bottom-tier). Expect power-play opportunities to decide a low-event game.
Series History (2025-26 Season)
Devils lead the season series 1-0:
- Nov. 26/27: NJD 3-2 OT vs. STL (at Prudential Center).
New Jersey has won recent meetings (including prior seasons’ edges); Blues struggle historically against Metro teams on home ice in these matchups.
Betting Trends
- Total: Devils’ low offense (2.4-2.5 GF/G) and Blues’ home defensive structure; recent trends show unders in struggling teams’ games.
- Other Trends: Devils 0-5 SU in current skid; Blues 1-0 post-break but inconsistent. Under has hit in many Devils road games; Blues cover as small home favorites sporadically.
This shapes up as a low-event, grind-it-out contest between two sub-.500 clubs. The Blues’ home crowd, recent win, and key returns give them the slight edge for a narrow victory (likely 3-1 or 3-2). Devils could steal points if goaltending stands tall, but momentum and venue favor St. Louis in this late-night matchup.
Game Odds
New Jersey Devils – 112
St. Louis Blues 5.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, February 27, 2026
