Jets and Blues All Even at Two Games Each
The Western Conference matchup between the St. Louis Blues and Winnipeg Jets is back on even terms. Instead of throwing in the towel after dropping the first two at home, the Jets marched into St. Louis and stole both games. They evened the series at two games apiece. Now the best-of-seven turns into a best-of-three. The Jets hold the all-important home ice advantage in those games. Will they finally be able to capitalize on the energy of the Winnipeg crowd?
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, USA, CBC, Sportsnet360, TVA, FS Midwest (St. Louis) LINE: Jets -2.5; O/U: 5.5 Under -125.
Arguably, the biggest reasons for the Jets’ mid-series turnaround has been the play of goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. Through the first two games, Hellebuyck gave up six goals, including a couple that he’d likely admit he should have had. His play in Games 3 and 4 were different. The netminder stood tall and held the Blues to just four goals compared to the Jets’ eight goals scored. The Blues’ goaltender, Jordan Binnington, seemed to be back on his game in Game 4. The rookie standout made 37 saves on the night. His great play included multiple acrobatic stops that had the Jets’ scorers shaking their heads. Binnington wasn’t able to stop Kyle Connor from slamming the game winner in overtime. The series is tied at two.
This, That, and a Dart Throw
In Game 4 for the Jets, Connor, center Mark Scheifele and forward Blake Wheeler finished with two goals and four assists, giving the trio 10 points in the two games in St. Louis. The Blues were 12-0-4 in one-goal games dating back to Feb. 5 before Tuesday. This loss hurt after goaltender Jordan Binnington rebounded from an off night in Game 3. Forward Vladimir Tarasenko scored for the second consecutive game on a power-play goal early in the third period. The Blues were unable to take advantage of a torrid start. During this stretch, they held the Jets without a shot for the game’s first eight minutes. Binnington has lost back-to-back games for the first time in his stellar rookie season.
St. Louis took the game’s first seven shots but were less aggressive as the game progressed. The team got out-shot 20-8 from the start of the third period and 39-32 overall. Pietrangelo picked up his fifth assist of the series, and center Ryan O’Reilly earned his second point. After going pointless with three shots in Game 1, Tarasenko has 15 shots and two goals in the past three games.
Winnipeg out-shot the Blues for the first time in the series. They applied steady pressure in the third period and overtime despite having just one power-play opportunity the entire game. Hellebuyck has rebounded from a shaky Game 2 in goal, stopping 31-of-32 shots Tuesday. He allowed only four goals total in the two games in St. Louis. Defenseman Dustin Byfuglien shares the team lead in points (five) with Connor, Scheifele and Wheeler. Patrik Laine did not score for the first time in the series in Game 4.
The Dart Throw: Jets 3, Blues 1
NHL Playoffs Betting Odds Trends
| St. Louis Blues |
|---|
| St. Louis is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games |
| St. Louis is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games |
| St. Louis is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road |
| The total has gone OVER in 4 of St. Louis’s last 6 games on the road |
| St. Louis is 6-13 ATS in its last 19 games when playing Winnipeg |
| St. Louis is 5-13 SU in its last 18 games when playing Winnipeg |
| St. Louis is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Winnipeg |
| St. Louis is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Winnipeg |
| Winnipeg Jets |
|---|
| Winnipeg is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games |
| Winnipeg is 6-13 ATS in its last 19 games |
| Winnipeg is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games at home |
| Winnipeg is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games at home |
| Winnipeg is 13-6 ATS in its last 19 games when playing St. Louis |
| Winnipeg is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games when playing St. Louis |
| Winnipeg is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against St. Louis |
| Winnipeg is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against St. Louis |
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