NHL · November 26, 2025
St. Louis Blues @ New Jersey Devils
Free LineCrush game report for St. Louis Blues @ New Jersey Devils on November 26, 2025, with matchup analysis and pick ideas generated for the daily slate. Reports can update as lineups, injuries, and odds develop, so confirm time-sensitive details before acting.
Matchup Analysis
Blues' Goaltending Crisis Meets Devils' Strong Defense
Joel Hofer has struggled significantly with a 2-5-2 record, 3.82 GAA, and .869 save percentage through 11 games, while Jordan Binnington has shown inconsistency. The Devils, with Jacob Markstrom's 32-save performance against Detroit and a strong defensive system, should exploit St. Louis' porous net.
Blues' Road Trip Struggles Continue into Final Game
St. Louis enters this contest with a 1-1-2 record on their five-game road trip and have lost five of their last six games overall. The Blues' inability to string together wins on the road suggests another difficult night against a confident Devils team at home.
Devils' Depth Absorption of Injuries
Despite missing Jack Hughes (finger), Brett Pesce (hand), Johnathan Kovacevic (knee), and Evgenii Dadonov (undisclosed), the Devils remain 14-7-1 and well-positioned in the Central Division. Their roster depth provides significant advantage over a struggling Blues squad.
Blues' Offensive Inconsistency
St. Louis has averaged just 2.61 goals per game (27th in league) with multiple players experiencing scoring droughts. Brayden Schenn just broke an 11-game goal drought, and Dylan Holloway has struggled to maintain offensive production compared to last season.
Grade Inflation Gap Between Teams
ESPN awarded the Blues a D- grade for their quarter-mark performance while the Devils have thrived. This 20+ point gap in standings (Blues 20 pts, Devils 29 pts) reflects fundamentally different seasons and playoff trajectories for these two franchises.
Markstrom's Dominance vs. Blues' Weak Offense
Jacob Markstrom stopped 32 shots in Monday's victory and has proven reliable between the pipes. Against an offense averaging 2.61 goals per game, the Devils' goaltending should keep St. Louis off the scoreboard for extended stretches.
Pick Ideas
New Jersey Devils Moneyline (-145)
The Devils' superior record, home-ice advantage, and Blues' continued road struggles make New Jersey a solid pick despite the juice. St. Louis' recent form (1-1-2 on road trip) suggests another Devils victory.
Under 5.5 Goals
The Blues average 2.61 goals per game while the Devils have shown strong defensive structure despite injuries. With Hofer's goaltending issues potentially limiting St. Louis' offensive chances, expect a lower-scoring contest.
Devils -1.5 (if available)
New Jersey's depth advantage, home-ice factor, and the Blues' inconsistent offensive output make a two-goal victory plausible. This provides better value than the standard moneyline in a likely comfortable Devils win.
First Period Under 1.5 Goals
St. Louis' offensive struggles and New Jersey's defensive stability suggest a slow-paced opening frame. The Blues' recent trend of being outplayed early in games supports this lean.