If you just looked at the box score from October, you’d think the St. Louis Blues vs Pittsburgh Penguins matchup was a one-sided affair. Sidney Crosby hitting 1,700 career points. A 6-3 Penguins victory. A Blues team looking a little lost in the woods.
But hockey is rarely that simple. Honestly, the dynamic between these two franchises right now is a mess of injuries, legacy-chasing, and desperate playoff positioning that makes their upcoming April 14 clash one of the most intriguing dates left on the 2025-26 NHL calendar.
The Crosby Factor and the 1,700-Point Night
Let’s talk about that October 27 game at PPG Paints Arena. It wasn't just another regular-season win for Pittsburgh. It was a coronation. Sidney Crosby didn't just play; he took over, putting up a goal and two assists to become the ninth player in NHL history to reach 1,700 points.
He did it in 1,362 games. That’s the fourth-fastest ever. Only Gretzky, Lemieux, and Marcel Dionne got there quicker.
The Blues basically had a front-row seat to history, and not in the way they wanted. Despite Nick Bjugstad and Jordan Kyrou finding the back of the net, St. Louis couldn't handle a Penguins power play that looked rejuvenated. But there’s a massive asterisk on that game. The Blues were playing without Robert Thomas and Jake Neighbours. You take the heart out of a lineup, and things get ugly fast.
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Current State of the Blues: Navigating the Injury Ward
St. Louis is in a tough spot. As of mid-January 2026, they’re sitting at 18-21-8. That puts them near the bottom of the Central Division, fighting just to stay relevant in the Wild Card race.
Jim Montgomery, the Blues' head coach, has been vocal about the team's "passion and spirit," but passion doesn't fix a lower-body injury. Robert Thomas, the team's leading scorer with 33 points in 42 games, was recently placed on IR. He’s expected to be out until at least late January or early February.
It gets worse.
- Philip Broberg is dealing with concussion protocol.
- Dylan Holloway has been sidelined with a high ankle sprain.
- Pius Suter is also nursing a high ankle sprain.
When you're missing your top center and a chunk of your defensive depth, winning 50-50 battles becomes a grueling chore. Montgomery's message has been simple: stop turning the puck over. The Blues have been their own worst enemy lately, letting games slip away because of "game management" issues—code for "we’re tired and making mental mistakes."
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The Penguins' Playoff Push
Pittsburgh is in a much better position, but they aren't safe. Currently 22-14-10, they hold a precarious spot in the Metropolitan Division. They’ve been riding a hot streak—7-2-1 in their last ten—but the injury bug has started biting them too.
Erik Karlsson, who has been a monster on the blue line with 33 points, was just moved to injured reserve with a lower-body injury. He’s going to be re-evaluated in two weeks. That’s a massive hole to fill, especially since he was named to Team Sweden for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.
One guy who always seems to haunt the Blues? Bryan Rust. The man is a certified "Blues Killer." He has 18 points in his last 13 games against St. Louis. Whenever Rust scores against them, the Penguins are nearly unbeatable (6-0-2). If you're a Blues fan, he's the guy you're circling in red on the scouting report.
Head-to-Head: A Historical Edge
Historically, the Penguins have owned this matchup lately. They are 7-1-1 in their last nine games against St. Louis.
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If we look back at the last few years:
On April 3, 2025, the Blues actually pulled off a 5-4 overtime win thanks to a Robert Thomas goal. It snapped a long losing streak against Pitt and tied a franchise record with 11 straight wins at the time. It proved the Blues can beat this team when they're healthy and clicking.
But at PPG Paints Arena? The Penguins have won five straight home games against the Blues dating back to 2019. St. Louis has a "Pittsburgh problem" they haven't quite solved.
What to Watch for in the Next St. Louis Blues vs Pittsburgh Penguins Game
The April 14, 2026, meeting is the regular-season finale for the Blues. By then, the standings might be set, or it could be a "win or go home" scenario for one of these teams.
- Goaltending Consistency: Joel Hofer and Jordan Binnington have been split-starting for the Blues. Hofer has the better GAA (2.94), but Binnington has the experience. On the other side, Stuart Skinner and Arturs Silovs have been holding down the fort for Pittsburgh. Silovs, in particular, has been a surprise, recently recording a career-high 37 saves.
- The Return of the Stars: If Robert Thomas and Erik Karlsson are both healthy by April, the special teams battle will be the deciding factor.
- Draft Positioning vs. Playoff Seeding: If the Blues continue to slide, they might be looking toward the draft lottery. If the Penguins are fighting for a top-three seed in the Metro, they won't be taking their foot off the gas.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
- Watch the "Rust" Factor: Check the lineup for Bryan Rust. If he’s playing, history suggests the Penguins have a significant edge.
- Home Ice Matters: St. Louis has struggled immensely in Pittsburgh. If the game is at PPG Paints Arena, the trend heavily favors the Pens.
- Injury Reports are Key: For the Blues, everything lives and dies with Robert Thomas. Without him, their offensive production drops by nearly 25%.
- Live Betting Opportunity: Keep an eye on the second period. The Blues have struggled with "game management" late in periods this season, often giving up quick goals after turnovers.
The rivalry between the St. Louis Blues vs Pittsburgh Penguins isn't a traditional one, but it's fueled by high-stakes individual milestones and two fanbases that expect nothing less than a deep playoff run every year. Whether it's Crosby chasing another record or the Blues trying to claw back into the conversation, these games never lack for drama.