Pluses, minuses for Blues-Blackhawks, Kings-Oilers

NHL Network and ESPN analyst Kevin Weekes will offer his thoughts for big games each week throughout the season.

The St. Louis Blues (6-8-0) seek their fourth straight win when they visit the Chicago Blackhawks (6-6-3) at United Center on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET; TNT, BSMW, SN NOW). Then the Los Angeles Kings (10-7-1) visit the Edmonton Oilers (9-7-0) at Rogers Place (10 p.m. ET; TNT, TVAS, SNW).
Here's my breakdown of the games.

Blues

Pluses: They've won three in a row, the past two at the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche, after losing eight straight while being outscored 38-12. Jordan Binnington could be turning it around. He's allowed seven goals in three games after giving up at least three in four straight. Another key has been their defensive game, which has been solid during this streak against some very good offensive teams.

Minuses: Last season, the Blues had nine players with at least 20 goals. Through 14 games this season, their goal leader is Jordan Kyrou with five, so they are doing it by committee again, but it would be nice if they had a 30 or 40 goal-scorer. Vladimir Tarasenko could be that guy once again; he has four goals this season but can score in bunches. Their penalty kill has not been good (72.4 percent; 27th in NHL) and they've allowed the sixth most goals per game (3.57).

Blackhawks

Pluses:I like the way they are playing under new coach Luke Richardson. They've been a lot more competitive than everyone thought externally. We know about Patrick Kane (12 points), but Jonathan Toews (10 points) and newcomer Max Domi (10 points) have been positive signs offensively. Rookie goalie Arvid Soderblom has a 2.60 goals-against average and .931 save percentage and could be a long-term solution. Forward Tyler Johnson returned to practice Tuesday, and though he's not ready to return yet, he should be an offensive boost after he had six points (two goals, four assists) in six games prior to the injury.

Minuses: Since a 4-2-0 start, they have lost seven of nine (2-4-3), which is expected from a young team. The challenge is not letting the losses snowball, including 3-0 to the Carolina Hurricanes at home Monday. Chicago is 31st in goals per game (2.53) and has scored two goals or fewer in seven of 15. They are not a team that is going to lock down defensively and defeat you 2-1, so they need to score more while limiting the opposition's chances.

Kings

Pluses:They won four straight prior to a 6-5 loss at the Calgary Flames on Monday. Gabriel Vilardi has been their best player (team high 10 goals) and it's also nice to see Arthur Kaliyev putting up the points (13; eight in past eight games). Kevin Fiala, acquired in an offseason trade with the Minnesota Wild, leads them with 18 points. They've played six straight one-goal games, so they have been in every game.

Minuses:The Kings can score, but they've got to manage the puck better and play better defense, which were traits of the team that won the Stanley Cup in 2012 and 2014. This is a tough stretch with three games in four nights against the Oilers, Vancouver Canucks and Seattle Kraken. I also expect more from Jonathan Quick (3.09 GAA, .895 save percentage) and Cal Petersen (4.06 GAA, .867 save percentage). And the penalty kill is subpar (74.6 percent), which isn't great when you're playing the team with the third-best power play in Edmonton (32.2 percent).

Oilers

Pluses: Connor McDavid (32 points) and Leon Draisaitl (28) are the top two scorers, and McDavid leads the NHL in goals with 15. He could score 50 this season for the first time in his NHL career. Stuart Skinner wasn't expected to be the guy this season, but he's been their best goalie (2.53 GAA, .932 save percentage). We already mentioned the power play, which is among the reasons the Oilers are tied with the Buffalo Sabres for third in scoring (3.69 goals per game). Forwards Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman each has 17 points and at least seven goals, giving Edmonton four legitimate scoring threats.

Minuses: Jack Campbell has been critical of himself and is still trying to figure his game out. He has a 4.27 GAA and .873 save percentage, each among the worst for goalies who have played at least 10 games. Edmonton was 28-12-1 at home last season; this season they're 4-5-0, which isn't much of a home-ice advantage. And the Oilers will be affected by losing forward Evander Kane for 3-4 months with a cut wrist. He does so many things and there aren't that many other players in the NHL who have the same talents that he has.