Very few rivalries in the NHL carry the same history, emotion, and edge as the Blues and Blackhawks rivalry does. No matter where the two teams are in the standings, when they meet, it never feels like just another game. Especially for the fans and cities. Even in recent years, with both teams in rebuild seasons, the rivalry never ends.
Whether the game takes place at Enterprise Center or the United Center, the games are never quiet and are filled with emotion and physicality from the players. With both teams being in the Central division and only a few hours away from each other, when you show up to Enterprise Center, you know you will see many Blackhawks fans. If you make the trip to the United Center, you go into the game knowing that the hatred is coming. This is especially because the two fanbases take the passion for hockey very personally.
Historically, Chicago often took the upper hand, especially during their dynasty years in 2010s. The Blackhawks' Stanley Cup runs stood out to the Central division and took over them for a little bit. For Blues fans, this was always frustrating because the Blues put out strong teams and always had playoff hope, but Chicago always seemed to have the upper hand. This made the rivalry even stronger.
Everything changed for St. Louis in 2019.
The Blues' Stanley Cup win didn't just bring a championship to St. Louis, but it also shifted the dynamic. For the first time in franchise history, the St. Louis Blues stood at the top of the hockey world. This happened when Chicago was starting to drop down in the standings. The 2019 Cup run gave the Blues community something they'd been waiting decades for. It made the franchise no longer have to chase the validation that they were good because they earned it.
Now, when the Blues and Blackhawks meet, it's not about playoff standings or division titles; it's about direction and who's moving forward faster. It's about how good the rebuild is looking for the team, which young group is going to make the biggest difference, and which team wants it more.
For Blues fans and the city of St. Louis, beating the Blackhawks still matters and always will. There is history behind every move these teams make during games. What's different recently from the past years is that Blues fans aren't expecting dominance every game but growth, and effort to ensure that the team is moving in the right direction and towards another Stanley Cup. A win over Chicago will always feel good, even in rebuild years.
Blues vs. Blackhawks doesn't need to be sold as a "must watch game" because it already is. People know how deep the rivalry is; hockey fans will always want to watch a good rivalry hockey game. But this rivalry hasn't lost its edge.
No matter what season the two teams are in, this matchup will always feel personal to the City of St. Louis and the Blues community. As long as that remains true, the rivalry will never fade; it will just continue to renew itself.