St. Louis Blues vs Carolina Hurricanes 24 October 2026 Prediction

The defending Stanley Cup champions visit St. Louis. Carolina has opened the season as a title contender, while the Blues have been inconsistent despite winning their last two home games.

St. Louis Has Won Its Last Two Home Games

After two road losses, St. Louis returned home and beat Winnipeg 2-1 and Vegas 6-2. Jim Montgomery’s team defended well in both games, though it has allowed an average of three goals per game this season. Goaltenders Joel Hofer and Jordan Binnington have a combined .887 save percentage, below the league average.

The Blues scored twice on the power play against the Golden Knights. Special teams have been a strength: St. Louis converts 25% of its power plays and kills 85.7% of opposing power plays. Both figures rank in the NHL’s top 10.

Predicted Lineup: St. Louis Blues: 30 Hofer (Binnington); 6 Broberg, 72 Barron; 81 Holloway, 18 Thomas, 21 Snuggerud

Other Rostered Players: Defensemen: Jiricek, Parayko, Fowler, Carlo. Forwards: McMichael, McTavish, Berggren, Neighbours, Dvorsky, Buchnevich, Kaskimaki, Suter, Stenberg

Out: Mailloux, Tucker, Toropchenko, Dube (injuries); Johnston (questionable)

Manager: Jim Montgomery

Carolina Lost a High-Scoring Game in Edmonton

Rod Brind’Amour’s team has won eight of its last 10 games, although both losses came in its last three. Most recently, Carolina gave up a two-goal lead in the third period and lost 6-5 in a shootout at Edmonton. Despite the loss, the defending Stanley Cup champions remain atop the Eastern Conference standings.

The Hurricanes average 3.9 goals per game and score on 11.7% of their shots. They allowed three power-play goals against the Oilers after giving up only four over their previous 11 games. Carolina’s 83.3% penalty kill ranks in the NHL’s top 10.

Predicted Lineup: Carolina Hurricanes: Bussi (Kochetkov); Slavin, Chatfield; Carrier, Aho, Svechnikov

Other Rostered Players: Defensemen: Miller, Walker, Gostisbehere, Valimaki. Forwards: Ehlers, Stankoven, Blake, Martinook, Kotkaniemi, Jarvis, Robinson, Brind’Amour, Deslauriers

Out: Staal, Hall, Jankowski (injuries)

Manager: Rod Brind’Amour

St. Louis Won Both Meetings Last Season

The Blues won both games against the Hurricanes last regular season, allowing just one goal. In their most recent meeting, St. Louis won 3-1 on the road despite being outshot 32-17. Jimmy Snuggerud scored twice. The Blues have won four of the teams’ last six meetings.

Key Stats

Carolina averages 66 Corsi shot attempts per game, second most in the league.

The teams have combined for at least seven minor penalties in nine of Carolina’s 12 games.

St. Louis has recorded fewer than 12 shots on goal in the first period in nine of its last 10 games.

St. Louis Blues vs Carolina Hurricanes Prediction: St. Louis Blues to Avoid a Regulation Loss

Main pick: St. Louis has started its homestand with two wins by a combined score of 8-3. The Blues average 3.8 goals per home game this season. Carolina has lost two of its last three games and allowed four goals in each. St. Louis has also won the last two meetings in Missouri, including a 3-0 shutout in the most recent one. The pick is St. Louis Blues to avoid a regulation loss at 1.73. Predicted score: 4-3.

Totals pick: Carolina’s road games have averaged 6.9 total goals, and St. Louis’s most recent home game had eight. At least seven goals were scored in five of the last six meetings at the Blues’ arena. The pick is over 5.5 total goals at 1.70.