Jets Pull Off Game 1 Thriller, Top Blues 5-3 in Playoffs Opener
Winnipeg’s Late Surge Leads to Nail-Biting Victory Over St. Louis in Stanley Cup Playoffs Opener
WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Kyle Connor’s one-timer with 1:36 remaining in the third period snapped a 3-3 tie, securing a 5-3 victory for the No. 1 seed Winnipeg Jets over the St. Louis Blues on Monday, April 19, 2025, in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Shaky Hellebuyck Holds Fort; Connor, Scheifele Shine
Goalie Connor Hellebuyck wasn’t at his best, but the Jets’ offense bailed him out as he made 14 saves en route to the win, albeit with a concerning .824 save percentage.
Connor also contributed a pair of assists, while captain Adam Lowry capped off the victory with an empty-netter. Mark Scheifele scored a goal, grabbed two assists, and broke the franchise’s playoff points record, finishing the night with 41.
Blues’ Late Push Falls Short; Binnington Stops 21 Shots
St. Louis’ Jordan Binnington turned back 21 shots, while the Blues outshot the Jets 26-19 and laid 32 hits to Winnipeg’s 14. St. Louis grabbed the Western Conference’s final wild-card spot, narrowly missing a crucial first-period lead.
Blues coach Jim Montgomery remained optimistic, “Overall, I thought it was a really good hockey game… We’ve got a lot of young guys playing in their first game in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. That’s why I know we will get better.”
Jets’ Third Period Attack Seals the Deal
After a lackluster start, Winnipeg clawed its way back in the third period, scoring two unanswered goals to secure the victory.
“There were some emotional swings,” Lowry said during his postgame interview. “But what an incredible third period, what an incredible atmosphere. And we’re real happy with the result.”
“It’s obviously really cool [breaking the Jets’ playoff points record]… To do it in front of the fans tonight was pretty special. That was a fun game to be a part of.” – Mark Scheifele
What’s Next
Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is set for Wednesday, April 21, in Winnipeg, where the Jets will look to build on their momentum and secure a 2-0 series lead.