In this article we will formulate a Jets vs Blues prediction for this NHL game on Wednesday, April 30th at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup in the 1st round of the playoffs.
Winnipeg Jets Betting Preview
The Winnipeg Jets are tied 2-2 in the series after they lost game four by a score of 5-1 on Sunday. Winnipeg led 1-0 in the first period, but they allowed the last five goals in the game for the blowout loss. The Jets recorded 31 shots on goal, won 50.9% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Winnipeg got their lone goal from Connor, while Hellebuyck stopped 13 out of 18 shots in the loss.
Prior to this game, the Jets won games one and two by scores of 5-3 and 2-1, but dropped game three by a score of 7-2. Winnipeg has won six of their last nine games and they finished first in the Central standings with 116 points. Winnipeg has scored 3.35 goals per game and they have allowed 2.32 goals against per game, while also going 28.9% on the power play and 79.4% on the penalty kill this season. Kyle Connor has led Winnipeg with three goals, two assists, and 11 shots on goal, while Mark Scheifele has added two goals, three assists, and six shots on goal. Connor Hellebuyck is 2-2-0 with a 4.24 goals against average and an .817 save percentage this postseason.
St. Louis Blues Betting Preview
The St. Louis Blues were able to win both games on home ice to tie the series at two, as they outscored Winnipeg 12-3 in games three and four. In their game four win, St. Louis tied the game at one with about 20 seconds left in the first period and they scored three goals in the second to pull away in the win. The Blues recorded 24 shots on goal, won 49.1% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. St. Louis got goals from Neighbours, Schenn, Thomas, Faulk, and Tucker, while Binnington stopped 30 out of 31 shots in the game.
Prior to this series, the Blues defeated the Hockey Club by a score of 6-1, but did lose to the Kraken by a score of 4-3 before that. St. Louis has lost five of their last eight games and they finished fifth in the Central standings with 96 points. St. Louis has scored 3.05 goals per game and they have allowed 2.82 goals against per game, while also going 22.1% on the power play and 74.3% on the penalty kill this season. Cam Fowler has led St. Louis with one goal, seven assists, and nine shots on goal, while Pavel Buchnevich has added three goals, four assists, and six shots on goal. Jordan Binnington is 2-2-0 with a 2.29 goals against average and a .907 save percentage this postseason.
Why the Jets will beat the Blues
- The home team has won each of the Blues’ last 11 games.
- The Blues have lost eight of their last nine games at Canada Life Centre.
- The Blues have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six games at Canada Life Centre following a win.
- The Jets have covered the puck line in eight of their last nine home games against Central Division opponents.
- The home team has won the third period in each of the last six games between the Blues and Jets.
Total Goals Facts
- Ten of the Jets’ last 11 night games at Canada Life Centre have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Six of the Blues’ last seven games as underdogs following a home win have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Five of the last six games between teams from the same division have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in nine of the Blues’ last 10 games against Central Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Jets’ last five games against Central Division opponents.
Winnipeg Jets Player Prop Facts
- Kyle Connor has scored at least one goal in five of the Jets’ last six games against Central Division opponents.
- Mark Scheifele has recorded at least one assist in nine of the Jets’ last 10 home games.
- Mark Scheifele has recorded at least one point in each of the Jets’ last 10 home games.
- Mark Scheifele ranks T1st in the league for Game Winning Goals (11) this season.
St. Louis Blues Player Prop Facts
- Jordan Kyrou has scored a goal in four of the Blues’ last five road playoff games against Western Conference opponents.
- Pavel Buchnevich has recorded at least one assist in eight of the Blues’ last nine playoff games.
- Pavel Buchnevich has recorded at least one point in each of his nine previous appearances at Canada Life Centre.
- Zachary Bolduc ranks 1st amongst rookies for Plus/Minus (+20) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Winnipeg Jets rank 1st in the league for goals against per game this season (2.32).
- The Winnipeg Jets rank 1st in the league in power play percentage this season (28.90%).
- The St. Louis Blues rank 28th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (74.21%).
- The St. Louis Blues rank T2nd in the league for Period 2 goals allowed per game this season (0.79).
Jets vs Blues Prediction
St. Louis comes into this matchup with all of the momentum in this series and they will be looking for their third straight win. The Blues had plenty of success against this stout Winnipeg defense in games three and four, but only scored four goals in games one and two. The Jets are 32-7-4 at home this year, while the Blues are 20-18-5 on the road. I have plenty of concerns surrounding the Winnipeg defense and goaltending, but I do like them to rally and get the win in game five. Take the Jets here.