The Columbus Blue Jackets visit the St. Louis Blues on January 31, 2026, in a matchup between two teams trending in opposite directions. Columbus enters with momentum after three straight victories, while St. Louis struggles with the league's second-worst offense.
Current Situation
The Blue Jackets hold a 25-20-7 record (57 points), sitting sixth in the Metropolitan Division. Columbus has been playing solid hockey recently, winning their last three games including a 5-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. The Blue Jackets have scored 163 goals this season while allowing 172, maintaining a respectable goal differential for a mid-tier team.
The Blues are 20-25-9 (49 points), good for seventh place in the Central Division. St. Louis has struggled significantly on both ends of the ice, scoring only 135 goals (2.5 per game, which ranks 31st in the NHL) while allowing 187 goals (3.4 per game). The Blues have performed much better at home (12-9-5) compared to their road record (7-14-3), but their overall goal differential of -52 ranks among the worst in the league.
Key Factors
The primary factor in this matchup is St. Louis's offensive struggles. The Blues rank 31st out of 32 NHL teams in goals per game, averaging just 2.5. Their defense has also been porous, allowing 3.4 goals per game. This combination of poor offense and weak defense creates difficult winning conditions against any opponent.
Columbus comes in with positive momentum from their three-game winning streak. The Blue Jackets are scoring at a better rate (3.1 goals per game) and have been playing competitive hockey throughout the season. Their recent form and superior offensive output give them a significant advantage against a struggling Blues team.
The Blues also face the additional challenge of playing this game at home, where despite their better home record, they still have significant defensive vulnerabilities. Columbus's ability to score goals should exploit St. Louis's defensive weaknesses.