The St. Louis Blues are staring down at the abyss that is a 3-0 hole in their opening-round series against the Winnipeg Jets.
The Blues have been hardly outplayed and blown out in their first two losses. They led 3-2 in Game 1 heading into the third period before falling 5-3. The Blues were in the game the whole night in Game 2, but couldn't close the gap.
The games have been so close that one difference-maker could have changed the Blues’ fortunes. That difference-maker could have transformed this series from a 2-0 deficit into at least a 1-1 draw.
If anything, the Blues could be up 2-0.
That difference-maker is captain Brayden Schenn. Schenn is the type of player who can turn a game around with more than just scoring goals. His leadership and 200-foot game can transform the Blues' fortunes.
Schenn, however, has been largely invisible throughout the first two games. Now, the Jets deserve kudos for making life hard for Schenn. The Jets are a fast, highly mobile team that doesn’t make it easy to keep up with them.
But Schenn’s performance in the first two games of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs goes beyond getting hammered by the Jets’ offense. It’s more about Schenn’s inability to be that difference-maker we’ve discussed.
In two games, Schenn has yet to register on the scoresheet, is a minus-2, and has 10 penalty minutes. He’s averaged 17:43 of ice time while getting just two shots on goal. In the face-off circle, he’s got a 42.4%.
Those numbers are well below Schenn’s usual numbers.
Just for comparison, Schenn notched five goals and seven assists in 26 games during the magical 2019 Cup run. He played nearly 19 minutes a night while registering 14 penalty minutes over the entire postseason. He had 57 shots on goal and was nearly 50% in the face-off circle.
That’s considering that Schenn wasn’t “the guy” in 2019. But he is now.
Schenn needs to lead the St. Louis Blues to a key turnaround in Game 3
So, the past is the past. There’s no sense in decrying Schenn’s misses in the first two games if it doesn’t lead to a positive outcome moving forward.
That situation means turning things around in Game 3 on Thursday night. The Blues will play their first game at home this postseason. It’s the perfect time for a turnaround and to wrestle the momentum away from the Jets.
Perhaps the biggest advantage for the Blues will be having the last line change while playing on home ice. That situation could give Jim Montgomery an opportunity to find more favorable matchups for Scheen.
Now, the point here isn’t about making things easier for Schenn. It’s about helping build his confidence and momentum. The team can then deploy him as needed, particularly in crucial situations.
Beyond line changes, matchups, and such, Game 3 is about playing desperate hockey. The Blues’ season is on the line as another loss would make it virtually impossible to come back. Sure, anything is possible. Sports are as unpredictable as the weather.
But down 3-0, the Blues would have as much chance to come back to win the series as there would be a chance of rain on a sunny day.
Yes, it can happen. Yes, the Blues have the team to turn a 3-0 hole into a magnificent comeback. But let’s be realistic for a minute. Winning the series is much easier down 2-1 than 3-0.
That series starts on Wednesday night with Brayden Schenn putting the Blues on his back.