This is the first meeting of the St. Louis Blues and the Nashville Predators for the 2025-26 season. It could not have come at a better time, as they are both still searching for what direction they want to go in for the rest of this season, and beyond.
Here are three of the biggest storylines heading into this big tilt.
Battle of the bottom-barrel Central teams
The Blues and Predators both make up the bottom of the Central Division. Looking at the standings, realistically, they are both within earshot of a playoff berth via the Western Conference wild card.
This matchup is not going to be spectacular on paper, but there is a chance that it can be. Nobody, and I mean nobody, wants to be at the bottom of their division. The Blues cannot be overtaken by the Predators with a loss in this matchup, but it moves the difference between the two teams to just one point.
Playoffs still within sight?
The Blues still have their eyes set on being a solid team with a potential playoff berth at the end of this season. At least that is the dream, right?
If this team can continue to put up solid performances, with this latest loss at home against Boston as an abnormality, then that dream could become a reality. Plus, the emphasis right now is on surviving until the mainstays get healthy and come back to the lineup. The Blues cannot win, long-term, without the players injured.
Can Fabbri be a confidence builder?
With the injury bug ripping through this Blues lineup, the return of a familiar face was needed to help patch up the holes. Robby Fabbri, who was drafted by the Blues in the first round of the 2014 NHL draft, has been signed back after not having a contract for this season with any team.
He has to pick himself up off the ice since the end of last season, his last game being on February 25 against the Buffalo Sabres as a member of the Anaheim Ducks. Can he be a difference maker right away for the Blues? This Blues team needs a much-needed confidence boost, and Fabbri could provide it.