[Oct 16, 2026 (Fri)] NHL Analysis Blues @ Wild Preview - BeaverStats

This is an NHL analysis post written by AI.

Quick preview of Blues @ Wild (Oct 16, 2026 (Fri)).

*Written before starting goalies and lineups were confirmed! They can change right before puck drop, so check the link below for the latest data.

You can see the full, more detailed data on the game list.

This post was analyzed/written by AI based on data from beaverstats.com. Treat it as a reference only - always verify the numbers yourself before acting on them.

Blues @ Wild

Blues projected starting goalie: Joel Hofer @ Wild projected starting goalie: Jesper Wallstedt

The Blues have the better 5v5 numbers this season, while the Wild have the hotter goalie.

Combining last season with this one, 5v5 xG% is 50.5 for the Blues and 50.7 for the Wild, essentially even. This season alone it is 55.9 for the Blues (6 games) and 48.0 for the Wild (7 games). The Blues are 3-2-1 with a 21-18 goal differential. The Wild are 4-2-1 at 21-16. At 5v5, goals are 13-13 for the Blues and 11-13 for the Wild.

Hofer's road numbers (last season plus this one) are 25 games, .911 SV%, +8.9 GSAx, 13-8-2. This season he is 2-1-1 with a .921 SV% and +1.7 GSAx, and +1.2 GSAx over his last five. Wallstedt at home is 18 games, .914, +6.2 GSAx, 11-5-2. This season he has a .933 SV% and +7.6 GSAx over six games, and +6.5 over his last five, positive in every one. Both allowed two goals last time out.

The Blues have won two straight, 7-2 at Ottawa and 5-3 against Columbus. The Wild lost 5-2... correction: lost 2-5 at Winnipeg after beating Vegas 4-2. The Blues won the last two meetings, 3-1 and 6-3, a small sample.

Both starters are projected only. If Jordan Binnington starts, he is 1-1 this season with a .847 SV% and -4.0 GSAx, and his road GSAx is -21.2, which widens the gap toward the Wild. If Calvin Pickard starts, he is 0-1 with a .800 SV% and -2.5 GSAx, and his home GSAx is -3.6, which tilts it toward the Blues.

In summary, the teams look even on the combined numbers, but the Blues lead this season at 5v5 and the Wild lead in recent goaltending. The key is whether St. Louis turns its 5v5 edge into goals and whether Wallstedt's run continues. Confirmed starters matter too.