As the Winnipeg Jets set to get their 2025 playoffs underway, a number of hockey fans from around the Southeast were asked for their thoughts on the upcoming series against the St. Louis Blues.
Stephane Pattyn, Ste. Anne Aces overtime hero
"My take by position:
Forwards: Both teams show promising depth and playoff-type players who can elevate. I think the Jets' commitment to playing a 200' game throughout their lineup and slightly more offensive power gives them the edge here. Ehlers needs to come back soon.
Defense: Both teams play a defensive style of structure so forwards are strong contributors in their defensive play. I'm starting to like the add of Schenn to the Jets back end more and more. If they can stay healthy and manage their top 4 minutes, the Jets win this matchup.
Goalies: Hard to argue anything against Hellebuyck in any matchup - except playoff performances. And he's matching up against someone who doesn't come close except for playoff performances. Binnington is a gamer and I hope he pushes Hellebuyck to be great right away.
This could go either way - quick and painless or a hard fought back-and-fourth battle. The Blues have shown in the past that momentum into the postseason can be beneficial and it's hard to argue against that, but I also question stamina with an older group now compared to 2019.
Also, I appreciate and respect that the Jets as a group are at a level that we've never seen before. This was obvious by everyone wanting to dress last night again ANA and keeping their level of compete and battle to a near-playoff level.
Prediction: Jets in 5
Rob Smith, Head Coach U18 Rink Hockey Academy Winnipeg
Key to the series: "Need to get to (Jordan) Binnington and find ways to get inside Blues defensive coverage. Stay with the game plan and don't let the Blues style of play frustrate them."
Prediction: Jets in 6
Jon Sawatzky, Chair of the Steinbach Sport Heritage committee
Question: What do you like about the Jets in this series?
Answer: It's not by chance the Jets are the President Trophy winners. Home ice advantage and the 'White Out' will be a huge help. The team is quick and moves the puck extremely well. The power play is deadly and can really hurt opponents. They gave up the fewest goals this year and having (Connor) Hellebuyck between the pipes can only increase the team's confidence."
Q: What concerns do you have?
A: The Jets need to stay healthy and having a complete lineup will help tremendously. They need to have the mentality that they are the best and not dwell on the past few years performance of first round exits. The blues were somewhat inconsistent (until the end of the regular season) but Binnington has the ability to steal games - as wittnessed in the 4 Nations. The Jets will have to put pucks past him early and not let him get any confidence. Taking away their momentum will be key. Star players need to shine.
Q: Thoughts on the Blues?
A: Like I said before, the Blues are a good-sized team and hit a lot. They're going to try and wear down opponents and control the pace of the game. Their top two lines have some potent scorers. They've won the cup in recent years, so the organization knows what it takes to win. What that being said, they were near the top of the league in giveaways and that could really hurt them against Winnipeg. Goaltending has been decent but not always spectacular. Their shots to goals was amongst the leagues worst and against Hellebuyck, it will be difficult to get goals.
Prediction: Jets in 6
Sheldon Penner, veteran official
On the Jets: "I've liked the Jets consistently all season. Bounced back fairly quickly from losses. They have the best goalie in the league, but unproven playoff performances that last a couple of seasons leave a small question mark. They have pretty good depth and are well rounded with 3rd and 4th lines contributing. Their previous playoff performances are again my concern. Overall health, (Ehlers, Valardi) make things uncertain as well."
On the Blues: "St. Louis is a very good team and their recent 12 game winning streak proved that. My concern verses the Jets is their recent playoff run when they won the cup. Championship pedigree can never be discounted. If Binnington gets hot, he can be very hard to beat.
Prediction: Jets in 6
Ryan Canada, Female Representative with Steinbach Minor Hockey
Question: What do you like about the Jets?
Answer: Coming off a successful regular season, the Jets can use that momentum to propel them through the first round. They have the best goaltender in the NHL and a team that plays by committee, which should make themselves successful against the Blues.
Q: What concerns do you have about Winnipeg?
A: The last time the Jets played the Blues, the Blues were able to contain our offence and win the series. In the past couple of years, the Jets have been lacking in the playoffs. So, hopefully they can turn this successful season into a positive playoff run.
Q: What do you like about the Blues in this series?
A: The Blues have been one of the best teams in the last 30 games of the season. They have offence and a good goalie that has proven himself in the playoffs in the past by taking the Blues to a Stanley Cup.
Q: If you were the Blues, what concerns you?
A: St. Louis is going up against the best team in the NHL this season and they will need to find a way to score against a very good defensive team that can also score a lot of goals.
Prediction: Jets in 6
Braden Purtill, MJHL Champion/Ste.Anne Ace
“The jets have depth and have to utilize it. Hoping valardi ehlers and pionk are all 100% going into Saturday game 1 with establish their top 6 bringing down iofallo down to the 4th with tanav and Barron. Which I’ve thought since the deadline has been one of the best 4th lines in the league, they play with speed and wear down the opposition. The jets have home ice for the entire playoffs, if they want to make a run this year they need to take advantage it of it like they did this year.
Helley is the best goalie in the league and he need to continue to play like that, the jets need to focus on defence first like most of the season, shut down the rush and be good in the neutral zone. They don’t need to win the series in the first game.
The blue are a run and gun team, they have the ability to smother teams in the ozone, they have one line that scares the net every shift. Their blue line has a mix of experiences with offensive and defensive d man. Key players to watch are Schen Thomas, Kyrou, broberg, Fowler. Will be another battle of goaltending as binnington has found his game.
My concerns with the blue is not enough depth and may fall short on their blue line, the jets have four line that can that can produce and enter the zone with speed. They may also lack the depth that the jets have.
Special teams will be a major factor in this series, both teams have a good power play and have guys will to get in lanes and block shots on the PK.”
Prediction: Jets in 5