The Winnipeg Jets will look to extend their playoff series lead over the St. Louis Blues after their 5-3 comeback win in Game 1. They’ll also be hoping recent history doesn’t repeat itself. In their last two playoff appearances, the Jets won Game 1 only to lose the next four games and get knocked out.
The Blues had plenty of positives to take from Saturday’s game but will need to learn how to protect their leads. They were up 3-2 but allowed three third-period goals in the loss at Canada Life Centre.
Projected Lineups for St. Louis Blues vs. Winnipeg Jets
The Blues will try to bounce back and even the series after reportedly reviewing their mistakes and vulnerabilities from Game 1.
“Our first two periods were great. When we look at that as a positive, it’s something to build from,” Blues forward Jake Neighbours told NHL.com. “If we come out in the third and play better, we’re probably coming out with a different result. It’s just the first game of the series, and we all learned a little bit from Game 1, and we’ll move forward and focus on Game 2.”
The Jets aren’t looking to coast. The President’s Cup winners want to close out the series as soon as possible. They’ve got plenty of depth, and the Blues will need answers for players like goalie Connor Hellebuyck and the top line of Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, and Alex Iafallo.
“Tomorrow will have a whole different look to it. I’m hoping that we have a better first period, that we don’t come out of the game like we did. We’ve done a real good job this year of focusing on what’s coming next, and that next game tomorrow is what we’re zooming in on,” Jets coach Scott Arniel said.
Blues Projected Lineup
Forwards
Jake Neighbours — Robert Thomas — Pavel Buchnevich — Jimmy Snuggerud — Brayden Schenn — Jordan Kyrou — Mathieu Joseph — Oskar Sundqvist — Zack Bolduc — Alexey Toropchenko — Radek Faksa — Nathan Walker
Defensemen
Cam Fowler — Colton Parayko — Philip Broberg — Justin Faulk — Ryan Suter — Nick Leddy
Goalies
Jordan Binnington — Joel Hofer
Scratched
Alexandre Texier — Tyler Tucker — Matthew Kessel
Injured
Dylan Holloway (lower body)
Jets Projected Lineup
Forwards
Kyle Connor — Mark Scheifele — Alex Iafallo — Nino Niederreiter — Vladislav Namestnikov — Cole Perfetti — Brandon Tanev — Adam Lowry — Mason Appleton — David Gustafsson — Morgan Barron — Jaret Anderson-Dolan
Defensemen
Josh Morrissey — Dylan DeMelo — Dylan Samberg — Neal Pionk — Logan Stanley — Luke Schenn
Goalies
Connor Hellebuyck — Eric Comrie
Scratched
Dominic Toninato — Haydn Fleury — Colin Miller — Ville Heinola
Injured
Nikolaj Ehlers (lower body) — Gabriel Vilardi (upper body) — Rasmus Kupari (concussion)