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The Winnipeg Jets suffered a lopsided 7-2 defeat in St. Louis on Thursday night, as the Blues rode early pressure and a playoff hat trick from Pavel Buchnevich to claw back into the series.
The loss trims Winnipeg’s series lead to 2-1 heading into Game 4 on Sunday.
Buchnevich shines, Blues dominate from the start
Heading into the game, the Jets were well aware of the challenge ahead. Mark Scheifele had said earlier in the week that playing in St. Louis’ building would be a difficult test, and he was proven right in emphatic fashion.
The Blues extended their home winning streak to 13 games with a dominant performance, starting with two goals from Buchnevich in the first three minutes of play.
That included a goal just 48 seconds into the game which he kicked toward the net. The goal would not have counted due to the kicking motion, except somehow he was able to get his stick on the puck just before it crossed the line.
Just when you thought this place couldn't get any louder... #stlblues pic.twitter.com/AiRFOkJwD9
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) April 25, 2025
The Russian winger completed his hat trick early in the third period, capitalizing on a misplay behind the net by Connor Hellebuyck to make it 4-1.
Blues defenceman Cam Fowler also made franchise history, recording a goal and four assists—his five points setting a new record for most by a St. Louis defenceman in a playoff game.
St. Louis head coach Jim Montgomery praised his team’s quick start.
“The start was incredible,” said Montgomery post-game. “We were aggressive, we did the things we wanted to do to make sure that we were going to get more scoring chances, and we did get more scoring chances.”
Jets denied controversial goal, momentum lost
The Jets showed signs of life in the second period and thought they had cut into the lead when Cole Perfetti appeared to score. Jordan Binnington caught the puck in his glove, but video review was inconclusive after a five-minute delay, and the original no-goal call stood.
David Gustafsson finally got the Jets on the board early in the third, making it 3-1, but Buchnevich responded less than a minute later to restore the three-goal cushion.
Jordan Kyrou, Alexei Toropchenko, and Colton Parayko added goals for the Blues, with Neal Pionk netting the Jets’ only power-play goal of the night.
Arniel: “We lost the game in the first period”
We’re taking you LIVE to postgame interviews with players and head coach Scott Arniel. https://t.co/AjxMOvvTtC
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) April 25, 2025
Jets head coach Scott Arniel didn’t mince words when addressing the media.
“It’s one game. We lost one game. Whether it’s 7-2 or 1-0, we lost one game in this series,” said Arniel. “We lost the game in the first period. They scored two goals in the first three minutes, got on our heels, crowd got behind them. We were terrible in the first period. Game was over in the first.”
Hellebuyck allowed six goals on 25 shots before being pulled. Backup Eric Comrie gave up one goal on three shots in relief.
Special teams, physical play
The Jets were outmatched on special teams, going 1-for-4 on the power play while giving up three goals on eight penalty kills.
The game was also highly physical, with Winnipeg credited with 68 hits to St. Louis’ 63.
Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday at noon CDT in St. Louis.