NHL Game Preview: Florida Panthers (28-21-3) vs. St. Louis Blues (19-25-9)

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The Florida Panthers (28-21-3) head to Enterprise Center to face the St. Louis Blues (19-25-9) in an interconference clash that could see the Panthers capitalize on their recent road success against a struggling Blues team mired in a five-game losing streak. Florida has won three of their last four games, showcasing improved defensive play and opportunistic scoring, while St. Louis has been outscored 18-8 in their skid, hampered by injuries and inconsistent goaltending. The series is tied 0-1 this season after a Blues 2-1 overtime win on December 21, 2025, but Florida has historically performed well in recent head-to-heads. With significant injuries on both sides, expect a low-event, defensive battle where Florida’s depth could prevail, but St. Louis’ desperation for points at home might keep it competitive.

Venue Location

Enterprise Center, St. Louis, Missouri.

Puck drop is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT).

The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and FanDuel Sports Network Midwest, with radio coverage available.

Recent Team Forms

The Panthers rank 12th in goals per game (3.15) and 14th in goals against (2.90), with a power play at 21.0% (13th) and penalty kill at 81.0% (15th). The Blues are 28th in goals per game (2.65) and 29th in goals against (3.40), with a power play at 15.0% (29th) and penalty kill at 76.5% (28th).

Florida Panthers (Last 10 Games: 3-7-0, Avg. 2.9 GPG)

Recent Streak: Lost 1.

Key Results:

Jan. 27 vs. UTA: L 3-4 (Reinhart G; defensive lapses).

Jan. 25 @ PIT: W 4-3 (Verhaeghe G+A).

Jan. 23 @ ATL: W 3-2 (OT).

Jan. 21 vs. TBL: L 3-4.

Jan. 19 @ BOS: W 5-2.

Strengths: Road warriors (6-4 in last 10 away); Reinhart leading with 26 G. Weaknesses: Allowing 3.2 GAA in losses; Special teams inconsistent.

St. Louis Blues (Last 10 Games: 3-5-2, Avg. 2.6 GPG)

Recent Streak: Lost 5 straight.

Key Results:

Jan. 27 vs. TOR: L 2-4 (Kyrou G; poor PK).

Jan. 25 @ VAN: L 1-4.

Jan. 23 @ SEA: L 2-5.

Jan. 21 vs. CGY: L 3-4 (OT).

Jan. 19 vs. EDM: L 2-3.

Strengths: Kyrou’s speed (15 G, 20 A); Home scoring potential. Weaknesses: Allowing 3.4 GAA; Slump (0-5 in last 5).

Injury Report

Injuries are critical, with the Panthers missing their captain and key defenseman, and the Blues dealing with absences in their forward lines and goaltending uncertainty.

Florida Panthers:

OUT: Aleksander Barkov (C, Knee; expected return mid-February).

OUT: Dmitry Kulikov (D, Upper Body; out indefinitely).

OUT: Jonah Gadjovich (LW, Upper Body; out indefinitely).

OUT: Tomas Nosek (LW, Knee; out for season).

DAY-TO-DAY: Aaron Ekblad (D, Lower Body; left recent game).

DAY-TO-DAY: Anton Lundell (C, Upper Body; left recent game).

St. Louis Blues:

OUT: Robert Thomas (C, Lower Body; out indefinitely).

OUT: Pius Suter (C, Ankle; IR).

OUT: Oskar Sundqvist (C, Ankle; IR, expected to be out until at least Jan. 29).

DAY-TO-DAY: Dylan Holloway (LW, Ankle).

DAY-TO-DAY: Jordan Kyrou (RW, Day-To-Day).

DAY-TO-DAY: Jake Neighbours (LW, Day-To-Day).

Key

Player Matchups

Expected starting lineups amid injuries:

Panthers Forwards: Carter Verhaeghe – Sam Bennett – Matthew Tkachuk; Evan Rodrigues – Sam Reinhart – Anton Lundell (day-to-day; adjustments with Jesper Boqvist); Mackie Samoskevich – Jesper Boqvist – A.J. Greer; Ryan Lomberg – Kevin Stenlund – Jonah Gadjovich (out; adjustments with William Lockwood).

Blues Forwards: Brandon Saad – Brayden Schenn – Jake Neighbours (day-to-day); Dylan Holloway (day-to-day) – Pavel Buchnevich – Jordan Kyrou (day-to-day); Alexey Toropchenko – Radek Faksa – Mathieu Joseph; Kasperi Kapanen – Oskar Sundqvist (out; adjustments with Zack Bolduc).

Panthers Defense: Gustav Forsling – Aaron Ekblad (day-to-day); Niko Mikkola – Uvis Balinskis; Dmitry Kulikov (out) – Nate Schmidt (adjustments with Dmitry Kulikov out).

Blues Defense: Nick Leddy – Colton Parayko; Pierre-Olivier Joseph – Justin Faulk; Philip Broberg – Matthew Kessel.

Goalies: Panthers – Spencer Knight (20 GP, 12-6-2, 2.75 GAA, .905 SV%); Blues – Jordan Binnington (35 GP, 15-15-5, 3.59 GAA, .867 SV%).

Key Matchups:

Sam Reinhart vs. Brayden Schenn: Reinhart (26 G) scoring threat vs. Schenn’s physical play (15 G, 20 A).

Matthew Tkachuk vs. Colton Parayko: Tkachuk (20 G, 30 A) net-front vs. Parayko’s shutdown (5 G, 15 A).

Carter Verhaeghe vs. Nick Leddy: Verhaeghe (25 A) speed vs. Leddy’s experience.

Goalie Duel: Knight vs. Binnington: Knight’s agility vs. Binnington’s volume saves (poor .867 SV%).

Series History

All-time: Blues lead 28-19-3-1 in 51 regular-season games.

No playoff meetings. Recently: Panthers 5-3-2 in last 10 games.

This season: First meeting (0-0).

Betting Trends

ATS Trends: Panthers 3-7 ATS in last 10; Blues 4-6 ATS in last 10. Panthers 6-4 ATS on road; Blues 5-5 ATS at home. Over in 5 of Panthers’ last 7; Under in 4 of Blues’ last 6 home.

Game Odds

Florida Panthers               – 155

St. Louis Blues                   5.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, January 28, 2026

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