NHL Game Preview: St. Louis Blues (20-26-9) vs. Nashville Predators (25-23-6)

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The St. Louis Blues (20-26-9, 49 points, 12th in Central Division) visit the Nashville Predators (25-23-6, 56 points, 7th in Central Division) in a Central Division matchup on Monday night. The Blues aim to snap an eight-game road losing streak amid injury issues, while the Predators look to build on a recent win and improve their playoff positioning. This is the fourth and final meeting this season, with Nashville holding a 2-1-0 edge after wins on October 15 (5-2) and December 15 (4-3), but St. Louis taking the last one 3-2 on December 27.

Venue Location

Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee.

Puck drop is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. CT, 5:00 p.m. PT).

The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, FanDuel Sports Network Midwest, FanDuel Sports Network South, with radio on 101 ESPN and 102.5 The Game.

Injury Report

Both teams are managing key absences, with the Blues hit harder up front.

TeamPlayerPositionStatusReason
BluesTorey KrugDOutAnkle (out for season)
BluesRobert ThomasCDay-To-DayLower Body/Leg
BluesJake NeighboursLWDay-To-DayUpper Body/Soreness
BluesDylan HollowayLWOutAnkle
PredatorsNick BlankenburgDDay-To-DayIllness
PredatorsNicolas HagueDOutLower Body

Thomas, the Blues’ leading scorer (projected 20G, 30A), is questionable after a minor procedure but could return soon.

For Nashville, Blankenburg’s potential absence thins the blue line, shifting more minutes to Roman Josi.

Key

Player Matchups

Nashville’s veteran core could exploit St. Louis’ depleted forward group. Projected starting lineups (based on recent rotations and injuries):

PositionBluesPredators
LWBrandon SaadFilip Forsberg
CBrayden SchennRyan O’Reilly
RWJordan KyrouSteven Stamkos
DColton ParaykoRoman Josi
DJustin FaulkLuke Schenn
GJordan BinningtonJuuse Saros

Key matchups to watch:

Filip Forsberg vs. Colton Parayko: Forsberg (team-leading 25G projection) has points in 6 of last 7 games and thrives on the power play. Parayko (defensive anchor) must contain him, but Forsberg’s speed gives Nashville the edge.

Ryan O’Reilly vs. Brayden Schenn: O’Reilly (18G, 33A) faces his former team and projects for 1+ point with strong faceoff skills. Schenn (physical center) will try to disrupt, but O’Reilly’s experience prevails.

Steven Stamkos vs. Jordan Kyrou: Stamkos (7G last 10) adds scoring depth. Kyrou (speedy winger) projects for shots but struggles defensively.

Overall: Predators’ power play vs. Blues’ penalty kill: Nashville’s PP (21.1%) could exploit St. Louis’ 23rd-ranked PK (77%). Goaltending: Binnington (.890 SV% recently) vs. Saros (.905 SV%).

Recent Team Forms

The Predators are inconsistent but solid at home, while the Blues struggle on the road.

Blues’ Last 10 Games (3-6-1 record):

1/31 vs CBJ: L 3-4

1/29 at BUF: W 5-4

1/27 vs FLA: L 2-5

1/25 at OTT: L 1-4

1/24 vs WSH: L 3-4 (OT)

Overall: 4-6 ATS in last 10, Over in 4 of last 5. St. Louis averages 2.6 GPG recently, with an eight-game road losing streak.

Predators’ Last 10 Games (5-4-1 record):

1/31 at NYI: W 4-3

1/29 vs NJD: L 2-3 (OT)

1/27 vs BOS: L 1-2 (OT)

1/25 at DAL: L 3-5

1/24 vs MIN: W 4-2

Overall: 5-5 ATS in last 10, Over in 5 of last 10 home games. Nashville averages 2.83 GPG but allows 3.39 in losses.

Series History

Nashville leads the all-time series 60-50-10 in 120 regular-season meetings.

This season, the Predators are 2-1-0 against the Blues, but St. Louis won the most recent 3-2 on December 27. The Blues are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games against Nashville overall, but 1-6 SU in their last 7 games played. The Over has hit in 4 of St. Louis’ last 5 games.

Betting Trends

Puck Line (ATS): Nashville is 24-30 ATS this season (14-14 at home), St. Louis 26-29 ATS (10-16 on road).

Over/Under: 5.5 (-110 to -124 Over, +102 to +110 Under). Over has hit in 4 of Blues’ last 5 and 5 of Predators’ last 10 home games.

Other trends: Blues 1-6 SU last 7; Predators 10-5 SU last 15 in February;

Game Odds

St. Louis Blues                   5.5

Nashville Predators        – 142

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, February 1, 2026