The second game of the first round between the St. Louis Blues and Winnipeg Jets is set to unfold on Monday night. The last game in Winnipeg until a possible game 5, the Blues look to try and even the series up before heading back to the Enterprise Center, where they have won their last 12 games.
This game is crucial, and with how closely the first game of this first round went, truly anything can happen.
Bloodbath incoming
One of the three main storylines from the first game was that these teams have deep roots of rivalry against one another. With 86 hits in the first game and 53 coming from the Blues, these teams will be black-and-blue by the end of this series.
Captain Brayden Schenn, Nathan Walker and Jake Neighbours were relentless on the ice, with nine, seven and seven hits a piece, respectively. Look for them to bring the pain again to try and keep the Jets high-powered offense at bay.
Gain momentum before heading home
This is the biggest game of the series, because the Blues have to try and get momentum back before returning home. Down the stretch, they were unbeatable in front of the home crowd, and best believe that the fans will be ready to blow the lid off the Enterprise Center with each goal.
If the series is tied 1-1 after Monday’s game, this series is wide open. If the Blues fall to a 2-0 deficit, the pressure mounts in a place that they feel comfortable, rendering it to be a rather uncomfortable situation.
Can the Blues offense keep up with the Jets offensive juggernauts? Can Jordan Binnington rebound after letting the Jets take the lead in the third period of game one?