St. Louis Blues Rivals: A Friendly Guide to Intense Matchups

The St. Louis Blues, a powerhouse team in the National Hockey League (NHL), have seen their fair share of intense rivalries over the years.

With an impressive history that includes their 2019 Stanley Cup Championship win, the Blues have undoubtedly left their mark on the league.

Fans of the team share a strong passion for the game and a deep connection to the rivalries that fuel friendly competition between the players and organizations.

A standout rivalry for the St. Louis Blues is with their fellow Western Conference Central Division team, the Chicago Blackhawks.

Dating all the way back to 1970, these two teams have faced off in the rink, resulting in nail-biting matches and heated moments.

The Blues’ rivalry with the Blackhawks is marked by its intensity in terms of penalty minutes and fighting, with both teams consistently battling for the division title.

The Blues also have storied rivalries with the Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Los Angeles Kings.

As the competition remains fierce both on the ice and in the stands, it’s clear that rivalries are an essential aspect of what keeps fans and players alike passionate and deeply invested in the thrilling world of professional hockey.

Historical Rivals

Chicago Blackhawks

The St. Louis Blues and the Chicago Blackhawks have had a long-standing rivalry in the NHL. As members of the same Western Conference Central Division since 1970, the two teams have had plenty of opportunities to battle it out on the ice.

The rivalry between these two cities dates back to the mid to late 1800s, and it has carried over into sports.

This friendly rivalry between the St. Louis Blues and the Chicago Blackhawks has produced countless thrilling games and memorable moments in NHL history. It’s not uncommon for both teams to bring out the best in each other, making for exciting matchups that fans of both sides can truly appreciate.

Detroit Red Wings

While the rivalry between the St. Louis Blues and the Detroit Red Wings may not be as prominent today, there was a time when these two teams were considered the biggest rivals in the NHL.

In the 1990s, the Blues and the Red Wings faced off in some intense and competitive hockey games.

This period of rivalry was marked by fierce competition on the ice and a mutual drive to outperform the other.

Fans of both teams eagerly anticipated each matchup between the Blues and the Red Wings, knowing that they would witness a high level of play and determination from both sides.

Although the Detroit Red Wings have since relocated to the Eastern Conference, the memories of past rivalries still resonate with fans of the St. Louis Blues. These historical rivalries have shaped the identity of the team and continue to be a significant part of their story in the NHL.

Divisional Rivals

Colorado Avalanche

The St. Louis Blues and Colorado Avalanche have had their fair share of competitive matchups over the years.

While the rivalry hasn’t reached the level of some other opponents, there’s no doubt that games between the Blues and Avalanche are often closely contested.

As both teams continue to build strong rosters and compete for supremacy in the Central Division, this rivalry is expected to intensify.

Dallas Stars

When it comes to rivals in the Central Division, the Dallas Stars are a team the St. Louis Blues have faced in numerous high-stakes games.

These divisional opponents have also met in the playoffs, with each team fighting for their chance to take a step closer to the ultimate goal: the Stanley Cup.

This rivalry currently remains a competitive one with both teams being strong contenders within the division.

Minnesota Wild

The St. Louis Blues and Minnesota Wild have not historically been considered major rivals.

However, as these two teams have faced each other more frequently in recent years, the games have become more competitive and intense.

These matchups provide a great opportunity for both fan bases to witness some exciting hockey with potential for this rivalry to grow over time.

Nashville Predators

The rivalry between the St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators has intensified in recent years, especially after their memorable playoff series in 2017.

With both clubs boasting talented rosters and consistently performing well in the division, meetings between the Blues and Predators are often highly anticipated by both fan bases.

This rivalry has the makings of a long-lasting, fierce competition.

Winnipeg Jets

While the Blues and the Winnipeg Jets may not have the historic rivalry that exists with some other teams, these two division rivals have certainly faced off in some memorable games.

Their most notable matchup was in the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs, where the Blues ultimately emerged victorious. With both clubs striving for success within the Central Division, this rivalry is likely to grow and foster exciting, competitive games.

Playoff Showdowns

Over the years, the St. Louis Blues have developed rivalries in their playoff journeys.

Some notable showdowns have been against the San Jose Sharks and the Vancouver Canucks.

We will briefly cover these two notable rivalries and the intense matches they have had in the playoffs.

San Jose Sharks

The St. Louis Blues and the San Jose Sharks have had a number of spirited battles in the playoffs.

These two teams have met five times in the playoffs, with the Blues taking the lead in three of those series, and the Sharks winning the remaining two series.

The intensity and determination exhibited by both teams have kept the fans on the edge of their seats.

Some memorable moments include:

• The 2000 playoffs: St. Louis won 4-3 in a hard-fought seven-game series.
• The 2001 playoffs: St. Louis swept the Sharks in a four-game series.
• The 2012 playoffs: Decided in five games, with the Blues winning 4-1.
• The 2016 playoffs: San Jose won 4-2 in six games, advancing to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in franchise history.
• The most recent matchup in the 2019 playoffs, where the Sharks edged out the Blues in a six-game series, winning 4-2.

Vancouver Canucks

Another noteworthy rivalry in the playoff history of the St. Louis Blues is against the Vancouver Canucks. Like their rivalry with the Sharks, the Blues and the Canucks have met four times in the postseason.

The first three series were won by the Canucks, while the most recent series in 2020 was won by the Blues.

Some of the exciting series between these two teams are:

• The 1995 playoffs: Vancouver defeated St. Louis 4-3 in a seven-game series.
• In 2003, the Canucks won another seven-game series against the Blues, by a 4-3 margin.
• The 2009 playoffs saw Vancouver sweep the Blues in a four-game series.
• In 2020, the Blues finally broke their losing streak against the Canucks, winning the series 4-2 in the first round of the playoffs.

These intense playoff battles with the San Jose Sharks and the Vancouver Canucks have helped define the St. Louis Blues’ playoff history as one with thrilling rivalries that fans eagerly anticipate.

Emerging Rivals

Vegas Golden Knights

The Vegas Golden Knights entered the NHL in the 2017-2018 season and have quickly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with.

While still a relatively new rivalry, the competitive nature of their games with the St. Louis Blues has started to generate a buzz among fans from both teams.

Vegas’ quick ascent to becoming a competitive team and contending for the playoffs, combined with the battles for position in the standings, has laid the foundation for a rivalry with the Blues.

As these teams continue to faceoff in future seasons, this animosity will keep on growing.

Arizona Coyotes

The Arizona Coyotes might not be the first team that comes to mind when thinking about rivals of the St. Louis Blues. However, their games have become increasingly more engaging as the Coyotes improved.

The two teams don’t have a long-standing bad blood between them, but recent encounters show that the seeds of a rivalry are being planted.

Given the upcoming re-aligned divisions, the Blues and Coyotes are expected to share the same division.

With more frequent clashes on the horizon, the intensity between the two teams can only increase, fostering a rivalry that will be closely followed by fans from both cities.

Conclusion

The St. Louis Blues have a long-standing rivalry with the Chicago Blackhawks, largely influenced by the cities’ geographical proximity and overall athletic competitiveness.

Both fan bases exhibit a strong intensity when their teams face off on the ice, making this rivalry one of the most heated in professional hockey.

In recent years, the Blues have had various opponents they’ve had to overcome in their division, particularly as personnel and game strategies have evolved.

However, the Chicago Blackhawks have consistently remained their most significant rival.

This historic rivalry is enriched by deep-rooted connections between the cities and their sports culture.

The Blues’ success on the ice and development of rivalries with other teams has been instrumental in creating a strong and passionate fan base. As the team continues to progress and face new challenges, rivalries are likely to intensify and evolve.

However, the iconic battle between the St. Louis Blues and the Chicago Blackhawks will remain a staple in the realm of hockey rivalry for the foreseeable future.

In conclusion, the St. Louis Blues have a passionate fan base that enjoys the excitement and intensity that develops through rivalries in professional hockey.

The dynamic between the St. Louis Blues and the Chicago Blackhawks, undoubtedly the Blues’ biggest rival, has remained strong throughout the years, creating a unique atmosphere that fuels both teams to compete at their best.

Ultimately, ample rivalries can add friendly, competitive energy to the sport, which can only contribute to a more intriguing and engaging hockey experience for fans and players alike.