The St. Louis Blues and Winnipeg Jets have tied their first-round Stanley Cup playoffs series, 2-2. With game five coming up on Wednesday night in Winnipeg, Manitoba, this series has become a best-of-three.
The home team has won all four games so far, with the Jets narrowly taking games one and two and the Blues going full throttle in games three and four. This time around, in game five, things may change, and the Blues could shock the world with a victory.
All eyes on the crease
This series has seen it all: physicality, tenacity, impressive skill, and both crowds really giving it their all for their team. But there is one thing that stands above all else and will have everyone’s eyes glued to them in game five… the goaltenders.
It has been a wild series for these goaltenders, and they will be in the spotlight again in game five.
The Blues' Jordan Binnington and the Jets' Connor Hellebuyck will battle again, and both have interesting stories in this series. Both were stupendous on home ice, shutting the opposition off from offensive momentum.
But on the road, only one of those two was battered with shots and let in enough goals to not finish either road game. It was the Vezina Finalist, Hellebuyck, who allowed 11 goals on 43 shots.
Have to win on the road
For the Blues to win this series, they have to take at least one game on the road. It is mathematically impossible for them to move on, as games five and seven will be in Winnipeg and game six will be at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis.
This is a crucial game, as it sets up a chance for the Blues to advance on home ice on May 2. As they have not lost a game in 14 tries at home, this series could be over in six games.