Faceoff is scheduled for 8:30 PM CDT / 9:30 PM EDT
TV: ESPN, TVAS, SN-PIT
This late-regular-season contest pits a Penguins team fighting for Metropolitan Division positioning and playoff seeding against a Blues squad that has already been mathematically eliminated from postseason contention. Pittsburgh sits with 98 points and a +27 goal differential; St. Louis has 80 points and sits at -31.
Team Records & Recent Form
Penguins (41-24-16, 2nd Metropolitan, ~5th East): Pittsburgh has been a top-10 offense all season (3.52 GPG) but has hit a rough patch lately, going 1-2-0 in their last three and losing their final two games to Washington (6-3 on Apr 11 at home; 3-0 on Apr 12 on the road). They are 21-11-8 on the road this year and enter this matchup on the tail end of a condensed schedule. Despite the recent skid, the Penguins remain dangerous when healthy and motivated to tune up before the playoffs.
Blues (34-33-12, 7th Central, eliminated): St. Louis has been inconsistent down the stretch, posting roughly a 4-5-1 record in their last 10. They most recently earned a 5-3 road win over Chicago on Apr 11 (snapping a two-game skid) but dropped decisions to Winnipeg (Apr 9) and Colorado (Apr 7). The Blues rank near the bottom in scoring (2.68 GPG) and have been outscored in recent home games. They are 18-14-7 at Enterprise Center but lack the consistency needed to climb back into the wild-card picture.
Injury Report
Pittsburgh Penguins
Sidney Crosby (C): Lower-body – Day-to-day (returned Apr 12 after missing Apr 11).
Evgeni Malkin (C): Upper-body – Day-to-day / questionable (returned Apr 12).
Bryan Rust (RW): Lower-body – Day-to-day.
Kris Letang (D): Upper-body – Day-to-day (returned Apr 12).
Erik Karlsson (D): Lower-body – Day-to-day (returned Apr 12).
Ben Kindel (C): Upper-body – Day-to-day / OUT (remained out Apr 12).
Anthony Mantha (RW): Lower-body – Day-to-day.
Noel Acciari (C): Upper-body – Day-to-day.
Connor Clifton (D): Upper-body – Day-to-day.
Ryan Shea (D): Upper-body – Day-to-day.
Connor Dewar (C): Lower-body – Week-to-week.
Multiple recalls from AHL (McGroarty, Koppanen, Koivunen) have been used to fill gaps. Pittsburgh’s lineup could look significantly different depending on final decisions for this road game.
St. Louis Blues
No significant injuries reported. The Blues are expected to dress a full, healthy roster (including Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, Pavel Buchnevich, and goaltenders Joel Hofer / Jordan Binnington).
Key Player Matchups to Watch
Pittsburgh’s star centers (Crosby/Malkin) vs. Blues’ top defensive pair and Thomas line: If healthy, Pittsburgh’s veteran core will test St. Louis’ ability to contain elite skill. Crosby’s playmaking and Malkin’s scoring punch remain high-upside even in limited minutes.
Blues’ scoring threats (Kyrou, Holloway, Thomas) vs. Penguins’ depleted blue line: With Karlsson, Letang, and others questionable, St. Louis may find transition opportunities against a thinner Penguins defense.
Goaltending: Penguins’ netminder (likely the recently acquired or backup option) faces a Blues attack averaging under 2.7 goals; Hofer has been solid (2.59 GAA, .911 SV% in recent starts). Expect a lower-event game if Pittsburgh rests key bodies.
Special teams: Penguins power play has been middle-of-the-pack; Blues PK has been vulnerable lately. St. Louis’ man-advantage (around 17-18%) could be a factor if Pittsburgh’s penalty kill is short-handed.
Series History
The Penguins lead the 2025-26 season series 1-0 after a 6-3 home win over St. Louis on Oct 27. The Blues will be looking to avoid a season-series sweep and salvage some pride in their final home games. All-time the teams have been relatively even, but Pittsburgh has owned recent matchups when healthy.
Betting Trends
Penguins are strong historically as road favorites of -110 or better but have gone 5-11 in last 16 games on one day’s rest and are coming off back-to-back losses.
Blues have gone Over in several recent home games but rank low in scoring overall.
Pittsburgh performs well in the final week when playoff motivation is high; St. Louis has been 6-3-1 in select recent segments but is playing out the string.
Game Odds
Pittsburgh Penguins 6.5
St. Louis Blues – 135
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, April 13, 2026
