Blues vs Blackhawks Original Six Rivalry

Lore & Background

Over the years, specific eras have heightened the tension, particularly when both teams were vying for dominance in the Central Division or meeting in the Conference Finals. The memory of legendary players from both sides trading blows and goals has cemented this matchup as a must-watch event for hockey purists. It is not just about winning; it is about asserting the identity of St. Louis against the historic weight of Chicago, making every game between them feel like a chapter in an ongoing saga of Midwestern hockey warfare.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the arena was thick with tension, smelling faintly of popcorn and old sweat as the home crowd roared for one final push. On the ice, the Blues' jersey clashed violently against the red and black of Chicago, a visual representation of decades of grudges. A whistle blew, freezing the action just as a Blues forward checked a Blackhawk into the boards, sending a ripple of shock through the stands. In that suspended second, the history of the rivalry felt heavier than the puck itself, waiting to be written in the next shift.

Reader's Guide

The origins of this rivalry are deeply tied to geography and timing. When the Blues joined the NHL in 1967, they were placed in a division with Chicago, ensuring frequent regular-season meetings that quickly turned hostile due to proximity. Key incidents fueled the fire, particularly their playoff clashes starting in 1968. The series often featured intense physical play and dramatic overtime finishes, establishing a pattern of high-stakes encounters that defined both franchises during the expansion era. Over time, the rivalry evolved from an expansion team challenging an Original Six power to two Central Division rivals fighting for playoff positioning. While the intensity fluctuates with roster changes, the historical weight ensures that every meeting remains charged with decades of competitive history.

Did You Know?

• The Blues and Blackhawks have met in the NHL playoffs more times than any other combination involving an Original Six team and a 1967 expansion franchise.
• Their first playoff meeting occurred in the 1968 Stanley Cup Semifinals, where Chicago defeated St. Louis to advance.
• This rivalry is one of the few that has spanned over five decades of continuous NHL competition between the two clubs.