The St. Louis Blues enter their March 8, 2025, matchup against the Los Angeles Kings with a 29-27-6 record, sitting on the playoff bubble in the Western Conference. While the Blues have remained competitive throughout the season, they have struggled with consistency, particularly in road games, where they have covered the spread in only 40% of their away contests. Facing a Kings team that has been dominant at home, St. Louis will need to play a disciplined, structured game to give themselves a chance at earning two crucial points. Offensively, the Blues have been solid but not elite, averaging 3.1 goals per game. Pavel Buchnevich has been their most reliable forward, leading the team with 42 points, including 13 goals and 29 assists. His ability to create plays and contribute both at even strength and on the power play has been invaluable to the team’s offensive production. In addition to Buchnevich, Jordan Kyrou has also been a key contributor, adding speed and creativity to the attack with 21 goals on the season. However, beyond their top scorers, the Blues have struggled with secondary scoring, relying too heavily on their first two lines to generate offense. If they hope to compete with the Kings, they will need more production from players like Robert Thomas and Brandon Saad, both of whom have had inconsistent stretches this season. Defensively, St. Louis has been a middle-of-the-pack team, allowing 3.0 goals per game. While they have solid individual defensemen, their defensive structure has been shaky at times, leading to lapses that allow opponents to capitalize on high-danger chances. Colton Parayko remains their most reliable defenseman, playing heavy minutes and using his size to disrupt opposing forwards. Justin Faulk has also been an important piece on the blue line, contributing offensively while logging significant ice time.

However, the team has struggled to find a consistent third pairing, which has caused issues late in games when fatigue sets in. Against a Kings team that boasts a deep and structured offensive attack, the Blues’ defensive unit will need to be at its best to prevent Los Angeles from controlling the game. Goaltending has been a major factor in St. Louis’ ability to remain competitive this season. Jordan Binnington has been their workhorse in net, posting a .910 save percentage and keeping the team in games even when they struggle defensively. His ability to make big saves in high-pressure situations has been crucial, and he will likely need another strong performance against the Kings’ high-powered offense. Backup Joel Hofer has also seen action this season, but Binnington remains the clear starter and will likely get the nod in this key matchup. Special teams could play a decisive role in this game. The Blues’ power play has been operating at 20%, which is respectable but not dominant. They will need to take advantage of any power-play opportunities they get against a Kings penalty kill that has been strong at 82%. Conversely, St. Louis’ penalty kill sits at 80%, meaning they will need to stay disciplined and avoid giving the Kings extra chances with the man advantage. St. Louis has struggled on the road this season, and this matchup presents a significant challenge. With the Kings playing well at home and maintaining a structured defensive system, the Blues will need to capitalize on their scoring chances and avoid costly mistakes. Their ability to generate offense beyond their top line and keep the game close into the third period will be critical if they hope to pull off an upset. With the playoff race heating up, every game matters for St. Louis, and securing points on the road will be essential to their postseason hopes. If they can put together a complete team effort, tighten up their defensive play, and get another strong showing from Binnington, they will have a chance to walk away with an important victory. However, if they struggle to contain the Kings’ offensive depth, it could be a long night for the Blues as they try to keep their playoff hopes alive.