{"id":475385,"date":"2025-10-09T08:00:57","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T12:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=475385"},"modified":"2025-10-08T15:20:46","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T19:20:46","slug":"nhl-predictions-october-9-st-louis-blues-vs-minnesota-wild","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/10\/09\/nhl-predictions-october-9-st-louis-blues-vs-minnesota-wild\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: October 9 St. Louis Blues Vs. Minnesota Wild"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Welcome back to another NHL Predictions! Each day, our writers here at <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Last Word on Hockey<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and statistics, then makes predictions based on how they might unfold. Our prediction today focuses on the game between the St. Louis Blues and the Minnesota Wild. Both teams are playing their season openers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">NHL Predictions<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">St. Louis Blues vs. Minnesota Wild<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Time:\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">8:00 P.M. Daylight Time<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">TV:\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">FanDuel Sports Network Midwest, FanDuel Sports Network North<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">2025 Season Series: Wild Won 3-1<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The division rivals met four times last season. The Wild dominated the series, winning the first three before the Blues picked up a win in the final matchup. Their first matchup was notable as it included Wild goaltender <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/gustafi01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-10-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Filip Gustavsson<\/a> scoring his first NHL goal into an empty net.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"GOTTA SEE IT: Filip Gustavsson Scores First GOALIE GOAL In Wild History\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/osbry5lj3bM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h4><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Blues&#8217; Story<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">After an impressive run to the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season, the Blues are back for more in 2025-26. The usual gang returns, with star forward <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/t\/thomaro01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-10-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Robert Thomas<\/a> looking for his third-straight 80+ point season. The question is, <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/09\/01\/robert-thomass-point-projections-for-the-2025-26-season\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">can Thomas reach the 100-point mark<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Among the returning faces are a few new ones. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/suterpi01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-10-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pius Suter<\/a> joins the Blues after a career-best season with the <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/09\/29\/2025-26-puck-drop-preview-vancouver-canucks\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Vancouver Canucks<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> last year. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/bjugsni01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-10-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nick Bjugstad<\/a> joins the team to add some depth to the bottom-six forward group. Lastly, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/mailllo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-10-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Logan Mailloux<\/a> joins the Blues, following a surprising trade in July that sent promising forward <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/bolduza01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-10-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zachary Bolduc<\/a> to the <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/10\/07\/analysis-of-the-montreal-canadiens-opening-night-lineup\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Montreal Canadiens<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">For Blues fans, Thursday will see the regular-season debut of the <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nhl.com\/blues\/news\/blues-unveil-new-primary-uniforms-and-logo\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">team&#8217;s new home jerseys<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. The jerseys are not entirely new, as they are simply variants of the heritage jersey the Blues have worn over the last few seasons, based on the jerseys worn during the 2017 Winter Classic.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Wild&#8217;s Story<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Wild head into the new season coming off a disappointing ending to their 2025 playoff run. They were so close to possibly eliminating the <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/09\/30\/puck-drop-preview-2025-26-vegas-golden-knights\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Vegas Golden Knights<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. Instead, they went home after yet another first-round loss. The Wild have failed to advance out of the first round since the 2014-15 season.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The team will be looking to their core to get them over the hump this season. Thankfully for the organization, that core is locked up in long-term contracts. Star forward <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kapriki01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-10-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kirill Kaprizov<\/a> <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/09\/30\/minnesota-wild-star-signs-massive-extension\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">signed an eight-year extension<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> to remain with the team. Furthermore, the aforementioned goal-scoring goaltender Gustavsson <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/10\/04\/minnesota-wild-extend-emerging-goaltender\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">signed a five-year contract<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> this past weekend.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Suiting up for the Wild in their opener will be someone familiar with playing in St. Louis. Forward <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/t\/tarasvl01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-10-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vladimir Tarasenko<\/a>, who spent over ten seasons wearing the\u00a0<\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Blue Note<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, will make his debut with the Wild, seeking a return to his former goals-scoring self.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Prediction<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Both teams want to start the season with a win over their division rival. Both have their eyes set on the playoffs. However, one team has to leave St. Louis with the loss.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The home team has an explosive start to the season. The home crowd goes home happy. The new jerseys were debuted in style.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Blues win, 7-3.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Prop Bets<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The over\/under is set at 5.5 goals. We are taking the over with ten goals between the two teams.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">For the Blues, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kyroujo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-10-08_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jordan Kyrou<\/a> comes out of the gate strong and picks up a goal. In fact, a two-goal game is on the horizon for the former Blues&#8217; All-Star. As for the Wild, it may not be a good night for the team, but Kaprizov lights the lamp not once, but twice. Clearly, we expect the stars of both teams to light the lamp to open their season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>Main Photo: Matt Blewett- Imagn Images<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome back to another NHL Predictions! Each day, our writers here at Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and statistics, then makes predictions based on how they might unfold. Our prediction today focuses on the game between the St. Louis Blues [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3464,"featured_media":475433,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4524,4547,30,4548,32],"tags":[2433,2344,2393,1310],"class_list":["post-475385","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nhl-predictions","category-hockey","category-wild","category-nhl","category-blues","tag-filip-gustavsson","tag-jordan-kyrou","tag-kirill-kaprizov","tag-robert-thomas"],"modified_by":"Andrew Willis","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/475385","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3464"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=475385"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/475385\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":475435,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/475385\/revisions\/475435"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/475433"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=475385"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=475385"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=475385"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}