The St. Louis Blues are almost home following an eventful four-game road trip. Their final opponent is the Nashville Predators, in a Saturday afternoon showdown in Music City.
The last time we saw the Blues was their wild 5-4 overtime loss to New Jersey, and the news of defenseman Logan Mailloux steadily getting closer to a return might give some spark to these players.
For Nashville, they defeated the Blues on their home ice on October 17, 5-2, and are on a very good three-game win streak. Something that the Blues have yet to accomplish. They recently defeated Tampa Bay, Carolina, and Colorado, which should be a worrying sight for the Blues.
Lets go over some key X-Factors for the Blues that can try and steal a win before heading home.
Robert Thomas
Robert Thomas is shooting the puck in droves, and he is getting them past opposing goaltenders. With two goals and three assists in his last five games, and a very good track record against the Preds, watch out for No. 18.
This is always an interesting matchup, as Thomas goes against one of his former teammates and the former captain of the Blues, Ryan O'Reilly. It is almost like a case of teacher versus student, as the two were close years ago.
Joel Hofer
With the title of the "2026-27 saving grace" for the Blues, there is no one more important in this contest than Joel Hofer. Jordan Binnington is in deep water, as his final days as a Blue are drawing near.
Hofer was not in the net against Nashville in the first meeting of the season series on October 17, so he may be the key to having a different result. Can No. 30 shut the door on a very good Predators offense?
Dylan Holloway
Dylan Holloway has been on a cold streak. He has only amassed two assists in his last five games, and the idea of him being a potential 30+ goal scorer is starting to fade.
Holloway can turn things around against Roman Josi and the Predators' defense, as he has two goals and seven assists for nine points in 12 career games against them.
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