With the NHL Playoffs upon us, we are breaking down each matchup of the first round. This article will focus on the Jets versus the Blues.



Photo Credit: David Rodgers of The Sports Daily



The Matchup

#2 Winnipeg Jets (47-30-5, 99 points, 2nd in Central) vs.

#3 St. Louis Blues (45-28-9, 99 Points, 3rd in Central)

Game 1: 4/10 8 P.M. EST. STL @ WPG

Game 2 4/12 9:30 P.M. EST. STL @ WPG

Game 3 4/14 7:30 P.M. EST. WPG @ STL

Game 4 4/16 9:30 P.M. EST. WPG @ STL

*Game 5 4/18 TBD STL @ WPG

*Game 6 4/20 TBD WPG @ STL

*Game 7 4/22 TBD STL @ WPG

* If Necessary



Recent Trends

Jets 4-6 in their last 10 games (1 game winning streak, and lost 5 of 7)

Blues 8-2 in their last 10 games (2 game winning streak, and won 4 of 5)



Head to Head Trends

Winnipeg is 7-3 against St. Louis in their last 10 meetings dating back to 2017. Winnipeg is 3-1 (1 Home / 2 Road Wins) this season against St. Louis. Road teams are 5-1 in their last six meetings head to head, and St. Louis has only won one1 game in their last five against Winnipeg.



Breakdown

-Offense

In terms of goal differential both teams are basically even as the Jets are at +28 while the Blues are +24. The Jets are lead by Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele as both have more than a point per game on the season. While the Blues do not, as the closest player that they have is Ryan O’Reilly with 77 Points in 82 Games. Third-year forward Patrik Laine needs to turn back the clock a bit and regain form when he has put up 35+ goals and 60+ points the last two seasons prior.

Edge: Jets



-Defense

On the Blue line the Blues are lead by Captain Alex Pietrangelo, along with veteran Jay Bouwmeester. The Jets blue line has had some injuries headlined by Alternate captain Dustin Byfuglien as he has recently come back from an ankle injury and has only recorded one point in his last five games with a 0 +/-

Edge: Blues



-Special Teams (Power Play and Penalty Kill)

Power Play

The Jets come into the playoffs supporting the fourth best power play in the leagues with a 24.8%. While the Blues aren’t far behind in 10th with a 21.1%, in that regards it is basically even. On the Kill the Blues 9th in the league with a 81.1%, while the Jets are down at the bottom of the league with a 79.2% (22nd in the league).

Edge: Blues



-Goaltending

Rookie goaltender Jordan Binnington has been a great addition for the Blues and a huge reason for why the Blues are in the position that they are in. He has won 24 of the 30 games he has started for St. Louis while posting a 1.89 GAA. He should be in consideration for both the Calder anlong with the Vezina. While Connor Hellebuyck has struggled this year compared to last season’s campaign only winning 34 games (10 less than 2017) and has a 2.90 GAA. compared to his 2.36 last season. If Binnington doesn’t let the pressure and the spotlight get to him the Blues will make a deep run.

Edge: Blues



Final Thoughts & Predictions

The Blues have been on a hot streak, surging up the standings from January up until now, and the Jets have struggled coming into the playoffs. I will always back the hot team going into the playoffs, so while winning in Winnipeg has been an issue for the Blue lately, they have one of the better records on the road this season. They can steal a game or two in Winnipeg and take the series in six games.



Prediction: St. Louis in 6

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