Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Enterprise Center, St. Louis, Missouri
TV/Streaming: ESPN+, BN+, STLNHL, SCRIPPS
This is the first meeting of the 2026-27 season between the Atlantic Division Panthers and Central Division Blues. Florida has been more consistent overall and ranks higher in the standings, while St. Louis has been competitive at home and recently snapped a skid.
Injury Reports
Florida Panthers
Aleksander Barkov (C): Out (lower-body/knee), on IR/LTIR; expected return around late November (within ~2 weeks as of mid-November updates).
Brad Marchand (LW): Out (leg/knee), on IR; expected return around Nov. 21 or within ~2 weeks.
Jonah Gadjovich (LW): Out (upper-body/neck), on IR/LTIR; longer-term.
Additional notes include occasional scratches (e.g., Uvis Balinskis or others). The team has been managing without its captain and a key veteran winger.
St. Louis Blues
Torey Krug (D): Out for the season (ankle).
Dillon Dube (C/F): Out (neck), on IR; expected mid-to-late December range.
Tyler Tucker (D): Out (knee), on IR; expected return mid-to-late November (around Nov. 17 or later after procedure).
Adam Jecho (C): Out (personal).
The defense has been impacted, but Philip Broberg and others have logged heavy minutes.
Current Roster Highlights and Projected Lines
Panthers key contributors: Matthew Tkachuk (team points leader with strong assist totals), Seth Jones (high points from the blue line), Brady Tkachuk (goal-scoring threat and physicality), Sam Reinhart (consistent goal scorer), Carter Verhaeghe, Anton Lundell (recent multi-goal games), Sam Bennett. Goalies: Akira Schmid and Jacob Markstrom splitting starts (Markstrom often stronger SV%). Recent combinations have featured the Tkachuks with Bennett, Verhaeghe-Reinhart lines, and defense pairs led by Gustav Forsling-Aaron Ekblad or Seth Jones pairings.
Blues key contributors: Robert Thomas (playmaking center), Jimmy Snuggerud (hot goal scorer recently), Philip Broberg (defensive minutes and offense), Dylan Holloway, Pius Suter, Jake Neighbours, Mason McTavish. Goalies: Joel Hofer (strong recent form, higher SV% in spots) and Jordan Binnington. Recent lines often feature Holloway-Thomas-Snuggerud; secondary scoring from Neighbours/McTavish groups; defense with Broberg, Colton Parayko, Cam Fowler, Justin Barron.
Recent Team Forms
Panthers: Roughly 6-4-0 in the last 10. They rallied for a 5-4 win over Detroit on Nov. 12 (Anton Lundell with two goals, including the winner; Carter Verhaeghe with three assists) after a mixed stretch that included a win at Columbus. Stronger at home but capable on the road (around 6-5-2 away). High penalty totals but solid special teams (strong PK). Averaging ~3.2+ goals per game overall.
Blues: Roughly 5-4-1 in the last 10, with a recent home win over Detroit (3-2, Hofer strong in net) and a shootout win. Better at home (stronger home record). Lower scoring output overall (~2.8 goals/game) but competitive when reaching 3+ goals. Solid PK.
Both teams feature strong penalty kills (top-5 range) and middling-to-good power plays. Florida generates more offense; St. Louis relies more on structure and goaltending at home.
Series History
First meeting of the 2026-27 season. Recent historical matchups have been competitive, with mixed results (Blues have taken some close or late wins in prior seasons; Panthers have prevailed in others). No current-season head-to-head edge.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Matthew Tkachuk / Brady Tkachuk (FLA) vs. Robert Thomas / Blues top-six and defense: The Tkachuk brothers bring skill, physicality, and secondary scoring/creation. Thomas anchors St. Louis’ transition and playmaking; Broberg/Parayko will see heavy matchups.
Sam Reinhart / Carter Verhaeghe (FLA) vs. Jimmy Snuggerud / Blues scoring lines: Reinhart’s finishing and Verhaeghe’s creativity against Snuggerud’s recent goal-scoring form and Holloway’s speed.
Seth Jones (FLA) vs. Philip Broberg / Blues blue line: Jones has been a high-point producer from the back end; Broberg logs big minutes and contributes offensively.
Goaltending: Schmid/Markstrom vs. Hofer/Binnington. Hofer has posted strong recent numbers; Florida’s tandem has been serviceable but inconsistent in SV%.
Special teams and physicality: Florida takes more penalties (league-high range in some metrics), testing St. Louis’ strong PK. Hits and net-front battles involving the Tkachuks and Blues’ physical forwards (Neighbours, etc.) will factor.
Betting Trends
Panthers are the better overall team and road-capable; Blues play tighter at home and have recent momentum in wins. High-penalty Florida games can open special-teams opportunities.
Florida’s superior scoring depth (even without Barkov and Marchand) and recent rally ability give them the edge on the road, but St. Louis’ home form, goaltending (especially if Hofer starts well), and structure should keep it competitive. Expect a mid-to-high scoring game with special-teams influence and a late push possible from either side. A one-goal margin or overtime is realistic.
Game Odds
Florida Panthers – 114
St. Louis Blues 6
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, November 13, 2026
