Amanda: The Blues lost their last game by a single goal, but they’re facing a division rival who knows exactly how to exploit those same defensive lapses. This is not just another preseason warm-up; this is a test of whether St. Louis can finally lock down their neutral zone or if they’ll bleed goals again.
Paul: Exactly. We talked about the neutral-zone breakdowns after that Dallas loss on Monday and Tuesday. The Stars’ forecheck was suffocating, and without full health on the back end, the Blues are walking into a trap against Chicago tonight.
Amanda: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Amanda, and with me as always is Paul. Today, we are previewing the St. Louis Blues’ matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks tomorrow night. We’ve got three big things coming up: first, we’re breaking down why the neutral zone discipline has to be perfect if St. Louis wants to avoid repeating last year’s mistakes. Second, we’re looking at the key players—specifically Robert Thomas and Jonatan Berggren—and how they need to elevate their game given the injury list. And third, we’re giving you our keys to victory and a bold prediction for the final score. Let’s dive in.
Paul: Right. And remember, we predicted a bounce-back win against Dallas two days ago, and then a 4-2 win against Chicago yesterday. Tonight is all about proving those predictions right by actually executing the game plan.
Amanda: Let’s start with the matchup. The Blues are sitting at 0-2-0 in preseason action, currently eighth in the Central Division standings based on these early results. They just fell 2-1 to the Dallas Stars on September 22nd. Now, they turn around and face the Chicago Blackhawks. What’s the biggest storyline heading into this one?
Paul: The storyline is accountability. In that Dallas game, Nils Lundkvist led the Stars with a goal and points, while Mikko Rantanen added an assist. On the Blues side, Jonatan Berggren had the lone goal with an Otto Stenberg assist. But the story wasn’t the scoring; it was the defense. The Blues gave up too many high-danger chances from neutral-zone turnovers.
Amanda: And now they face Chicago. The Blackhawks are a team that thrives on chaos and speed through the middle. If St. Louis doesn’t tighten up their gap control, Chicago is going to eat alive.
Paul: That’s the tactical issue. When you look at the roster, you see a lot of young centers like Maddox Dagenais, Zach Dean, and Antoine Dorion mixing in with veterans like Robert Thomas, Oskar Sundqvist, and Pius Suter. It’s a talented group, but talent doesn’t matter if you’re getting caught in your own zone.
Amanda: We mentioned Matthew Mayich’s health earlier in the week. His absence is felt deeply, both emotionally and on the ice. But the immediate concern is the defensive structure. Jake Oettinger is out for the Stars, which forced them to rely on other goaltenders, but here, the Blues need their starters to be sharp because Chicago will be testing them early.
Paul: Right. And let’s talk about the forwards. Dylan Holloway and Pavel Buchnevich on the left wing, Berggren on the right. That line needs to generate more than one goal per game. Against Chicago, you can’t afford to be passive. You have to win board battles and clear the crease effectively.
Amanda: It’s also about physicality. Ross Johnston and Nathan Walker provide that heavy presence. If they can disrupt Chicago’s entry attempts, it opens up space for the skill guys. But if the Blues are playing too soft in the corners, they’re going to get pushed back.
Paul: I agree. The Blues need to match Chicago’s intensity. We saw some hesitation in the neutral zone against Dallas. You can’t do that against a team like the Blackhawks. They will punish you every time you hesitate.
Amanda: So, the key is transition play. Getting the puck out of our own zone quickly and cleanly. No hero plays, just simple, effective hockey. Stick with us, because we’re about to break down the specific line combinations and injury impacts that could make or break this game.
Amanda: Before we get into the details, I want to take a quick moment to talk about something important. We put together this episode today, fresh from the research desk, just like we do every single day. It takes a lot of work to keep this show free and daily for you. A handful of supporters makes that possible. If you enjoy what we do, please consider chipping in via the link in the episode description. It helps us keep bringing you honest, timely analysis without ads or paywalls. Thank you for keeping the network alive.
Amanda: Okay, let’s talk roster. We know Robert Thomas is the leader. But with injuries to players like Cameron Hughes, Colin Blackwell, Tristan Bertucci, Jaxon Fuder, and Tyler Tucker, who else steps up? And what about the goalies?
Paul: First off, the goalie situation is critical. With Jake Oettinger out for Dallas, we saw how crucial netminding is. For the Blues, whoever starts tonight needs to be calm. Philip Broberg is on the blue line, so the defense needs to support him heavily. If Broberg gets pulled into bad positional play, it’s a disaster.
Amanda: And looking at the forward lines, we have a lot of depth. Adam Jecho, Aleksanteri Kaskimaki, Connor McMichael, Mason McTavish... there’s a lot of name talent here. Who do you think is most likely to ignite the offense against Chicago?
Paul: I’m watching Jonatan Berggren closely. He had that goal against Dallas. He’s on the right wing, playing with pace. If he can get open in the slot and capitalize on rebounds, he’s a problem for any defense. Also, Dylan Peterson is a guy who brings size and skill. If he gets minutes against Chicago’s bottom six, he could create mismatches.
Amanda: What about Otto Stenberg? He had the assist on Berggren’s goal. He’s a center, but he’s showing good playmaking vision. Do you see him moving up in the lineup?
Paul: He definitely has a role. Stenberg is smart. He understands the neutral zone better than most of the younger guys. If he can pair with someone like Tomas Mrsic or Justin Carbonneau, they could form a solid checking line that also contributes offensively.
Amanda: But let’s address the elephant in the room. Six players are listed as Out from that last game: Oettinger, Hughes, Blackwell, Bertucci, Fuder, Tucker. That’s a significant hit. How does that change the strategy?
Paul: It forces the coaches to shuffle the deck. You lose depth on the blueline and forward depth. That means the top lines have to play more minutes. Robert Thomas, Oskar Sundqvist, and maybe even Pius Suter need to be ready for heavy ice times. You can’t rest anyone.
Amanda: And defensively, losing those guys means less experience in the defensive zone. Who’s stepping up to fill those gaps? Are there call-ups? Or are they relying on the existing NHL roster?
Paul: They’re relying on the NHL roster. Guys like Dmitri Buchelnikov and Arseni Koromyslov might see increased roles. They’re young, but they’re NHL-ready. The question is execution under pressure. Can they handle the physical nature of Chicago’s forecheck?
Amanda: It’s going to be a test of patience. The Blues can’t force plays. They need to trust the system. And trust each other. Especially with so many bodies missing. Let’s move to our final segment where we’ll give you the keys to the game and our prediction.
Amanda: Keys to the game. If the Blues want to beat the Blackhawks, what are the three non-negotiables? And then, Paul, hit us with your bold prediction.
Paul: Number one: Neutral zone turnover prevention. No lazy passes. If you turn it over in the neutral zone, Chicago scores. Number two: Power play efficiency. If they get a man advantage, they need to convert. The Blues have the skill to kill penalties, but they need to score on theirs. Number three: Physicality in the corners. Win the board battles, and you control the tempo.
Amanda: I love that. Simple, direct. And your prediction? We said 4-2 yesterday. Are you sticking with that?
Paul: I’m sticking with a Blues win. But I’m adjusting the score slightly. I think it’s tighter. I’ll go with a 3-2 win for St. Louis. Robert Thomas dominates the face-offs, controls the tempo, and Jonatan Berggren gets the game-winner late in the third period.
Amanda: 3-2. Bold. I like it. It acknowledges Chicago’s threat but gives the edge to St. Louis’ superior depth and leadership. Thanks for listening to this preview. We’ll be back after the game with a recap.
Amanda: That’s it for today’s episode. We broke down the neutral zone issues, the key players like Robert Thomas and Jonatan Berggren, and our keys to victory against Chicago. If you enjoyed this breakdown, please subscribe, rate, and review the show. Share it with a friend who loves the Blues. Go Blues!