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The Winnipeg Jets are back in control of their first-round playoff series after a 5-3 win over the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday night at Canada Life Centre. The win gives Winnipeg a 3-2 series lead heading into Game 6 in St. Louis.
Kyle Connor led the charge for the Jets with a goal and two assists, helping to energize a raucous Whiteout crowd and secure a critical win on home ice.
However, the victory came with concern. Forward Mark Scheifele did not return after the first intermission following two big hits in the first period. The first hit, delivered by Blues captain Brayden Schenn, came when Scheifele was without the puck. Schenn received a two-minute minor for interference. Scheifele completed the period with more than eight minutes of ice time but did not return after the break.
Fast start and steady response
Connor opened the scoring just 1:23 into the game, roofing a wrist shot over Jordan Binnington’s glove after a feed from behind the net by Scheifele.
CROWD IS FEELIN' IT 🗣️🗣️🗣️ pic.twitter.com/F3yJHxnnMP
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) May 1, 2025
St. Louis responded quickly. Nathan Walker deflected a Colton Parayko shot at 3:42 to tie the game 1-1.
Connor Hellebuyck kept the Jets' from going gown by a goal when he made an incredible save. Oskar Sundqvist looked to have a wide-open net on a 2-on-1 when Hellebuyck stretched out and got the paddle of his stick on the shot. Hellebuyck finished the night with 16 saves.
WHAT THE HELLE 🤯 pic.twitter.com/1OBBFK5sz4
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) May 1, 2025
Nino Niederreiter gave the Jets the lead again at 8:39 with a deflection of a Dylan Samberg wrist shot.
Oh Nino the man that you are 😌 pic.twitter.com/CmJhStRJGW
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) May 1, 2025
But the Blues evened the score once more early in the second. Jimmy Snuggerud beat Connor Hellebuyck with a low shot at 6:06 of the second.
Jets take over in the second
Dylan DeMelo restored Winnipeg’s lead at 11:05, scoring his first goal of the playoffs on a wrist shot assisted by Connor.
The friendly deflection 🍑 😅 pic.twitter.com/0U3xkpu9Ez
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) May 1, 2025
Vladislav Namestnikov extended the lead later in the period, snapping home his first in 20 games, also off a Connor feed.
Closing the second out in FASHION 🤩 pic.twitter.com/AbaRWAmyrQ
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) May 1, 2025
The Jets clamped down defensively in the third period, limiting the Blues’ chances.
Captain Adam Lowry sealed the win with a highlight-reel empty-net goal at 18:27. The insurance marker came after Mason Appleton chipped the puck ahead to Niederreiter, who carried it into the zone and spun a pass up the middle to Lowry for his second goal of the series.
It turned out the Jets would need the insurance marker, as Walker scored his second of the game for the Blues at 19:07, banging in a loose puck to bring the score to 5-3. The Jets held on through the final 53 seconds.
Physical battle continues
The game remained physical throughout, with the Jets registering 40 hits and the Blues countering with 44. Winnipeg went 0-for-1 on the power play and killed off both of its penalties. The Jets outshot the Blues 26-22.
Game 6 is set for Friday night in St. Louis, where the Jets will look to close out the series and advance to the second round.