ST. LOUIS -- In a thrilling display of offensive prowess, the St. Louis Blues defeated the Winnipeg Jets 7-2 in Game 3 of the Western Conference First Round of the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Enterprise Center on Thursday night. This emphatic victory marked the Blues' first win of the series, cutting the Jets' lead to 2-1 and sending a clear message that the Blues are far from finished.
Pavel Buchnevich was the undeniable star of the night, scoring his first career playoff hat trick and adding an assist to his tally. Buchnevich came out firing, finding the back of the net just 48 seconds into the game, followed by another goal less than three minutes later, including a power-play goal that left the Jets rattled early. His energy, vision, and precision lit a spark for St. Louis that never dimmed throughout the match.
"Goose bumps," Buchnevich said before the game, reflecting on the atmosphere in the building. Little did he know that he would create those goosebumps by scoring two goals in the game’s opening 3 minutes and 11 seconds, the fastest two goals scored at the start of a game by a St. Louis player in playoff history. The crowd of 18,096 erupted as the Blues took an early lead.
Cam Fowler also had a night to remember, posting a remarkable five-point performance with one goal and four assists. His contributions were crucial, as he not only scored the Blues' third goal but also assisted on both of Buchnevich's early tallies, showcasing elite puck movement and chemistry with his teammates.
Jordan Kyrou, Alexey Toropchenko, and Colton Parayko each added to the score sheet, with Parayko's slap shot closing out the scoring for St. Louis. Robert Thomas chipped in with three assists, further highlighting the offensive depth the Blues displayed in this crucial game.
On the other side, the Jets struggled to find their footing. Star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who had been instrumental in Winnipeg's earlier successes, had a rare off-night, allowing six goals on just 25 shots before being pulled in the second period. Backup Eric Comrie stepped in but was greeted with a goal by Parayko on his first shot faced, further compounding the Jets' woes.
Despite the lopsided scoreline, the Jets did manage to score two goals, one from David Gustafsson in the third period, making it 3-1 at the time. Gustafsson's goal was a brief moment of hope for Winnipeg, but Buchnevich quickly extinguished any momentum by completing his hat trick shortly thereafter, pushing the lead to 4-1.
Neal Pionk added a power-play goal for the Jets late in the third, but it was too little, too late as the Blues responded with a final goal from Parayko to wrap up the game at 7-2.
Blues coach Jim Montgomery had emphasized the need for his team to be more physical against the Jets’ top players, and they delivered on that front. Players like Mark Scheifele and Josh Morrissey felt the brunt of the Blues' physicality, with Morrissey receiving eight hits throughout the game. This aggressive approach paid off, as the Jets were unable to establish their rhythm.
Looking ahead, the Blues will carry this momentum into Game 4, scheduled for Sunday, April 27, 2025, at noon CST at Enterprise Center. With the series now at 2-1 in favor of the Jets, the stakes are high for both teams. The Blues will aim to even the series, while the Jets will look to regain control and prevent a shift in momentum.
As fans eagerly await the next chapter in this playoff rivalry, one thing is certain: the intensity is only going to rise. Can the Blues tie the series, or will the Jets bounce back and push toward Round 2? The anticipation is palpable as both teams prepare for what promises to be another thrilling matchup.
