The Winnipeg Jets took an early 1-0 series lead as they defeated the St. Louis Blues 5-3 with three goals in the final 10 minutes of the game.
Winnipeg’s Jaret Anderson-Dolan, Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, Alex Iafallo, and Adam Lowry all recorded a goal in the Jets’ 5-3 win.
The Jets also locked in defensively as the Blues were limited to just Jordan Kyrou recording a shot on goal in the 25:30 stretch of play between the score being 3-2 STL and 5-3 WPG.
Game Story
Robert Thomas scored first on the power play to make it 1-0 after a bad call on Luke Schenn for interference. Jets nearly get a shorthanded odd-man rush, but Cam Fowler keeps the puck in to catch Winnipeg off guard to score the opening goal.
After another questionable penalty called to Jake Neighbours for slashing, Mark Scheifele showcased the Jets’ league-leading power play as he tied it at 1-1 seconds into the man advantage.
Not too long after Scheifele’s goal, the Jets’ fourth line took advantage and cycled the puck in the offensive zone before Luke Schenn’s shot was tipped in by Jaret Anderson-Dolan to make it a 2-1 game.
Just minutes after Barron’s goal, St. Louis managed to separate the puck from the Jets’ defenders and found Luke Schenn bobbling the puck. This allowed Oskar Sundqvist to get the puck and tie things up. As the period came to a close, Neal Pionk was called for roughing and the Jets would have another 1:48 to kill in his penalty heading into the second frame.
The Jets would get close, but a point shot from Jordan Kyrou would beat Hellebuyck high blocker side and restore the Blues’ lead at 3-2.
Special teams continued to be a massive factor as Kyrou’s goal was the Blues’ second power-play goal of the game. The Jets also ended the second period with a power play as Nick Leddy was called for tripping with 13.8 seconds left, leaving Winnipeg with 1:46 in power play time to start the third period.
Around the midway point of the third period, the Jets got another goal after their depth lines drove the net. Alex Iafallo scored the 3-3 tying goal after he drove the net and buried a rebound while repositioning. Up until this point, Winnipeg struggled to get to the middle of the ice, but Iafallo’s drive broke that struggle.
Kyle Connor, with 1:36 left to play, scored the go-ahead goal to put the Winnipeg Jets up 4-3. Scheifele passed the puck to the right circle to feed Connor for a beautiful goal.
St. Louis pulled Binnington seconds after the draw, but around 30 seconds after he was pulled, Adam Lowry buried the empty-netter to score the insurance marker.
A late-game melee only added to the tensions between both teams as they gear up for Monday night’s game two.
The Jets would take the game 5-3 and take a 1-0 series lead as the roaring capacity Canada Life Centre crowd gave a massive standing ovation.
What’s Next?
Game two between the St. Louis Blues and Winnipeg Jets will be played on Monday, April 21st, with puck drop set for 6:30 pm CST.
ITR 34: End Of The Road – Inside The Rink
Discover more from Inside The Rink
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
