As the Stanley Cup Playoffs heat up, the St. Louis Blues are in a precarious position, facing a must-win situation against the Winnipeg Jets in Game 3 of their first-round series on Thursday, April 24, 2025. The game, set to begin at 9:30 p.m. ET at the Enterprise Center, will be broadcast on ESPN2.
Currently trailing 2-0 in the best-of-seven series, the Blues need to secure a victory to avoid falling into a daunting 3-0 deficit. Historically, teams down 0-2 in playoff series have a mere 12.3% chance of coming back to win, and the Blues have only managed to overcome such a deficit once in their playoff history, back in 1972 against the Minnesota North Stars.
Head Coach Jim Montgomery faces tough decisions regarding the lineup as he contemplates whether to stick with 11 forwards and seven defensemen or revert to the traditional 12 forwards and six defensemen setup. "We’ll find out tonight at 8:50," Montgomery stated, hinting at the uncertainty surrounding his final choices.
One certainty is the return of Robert Thomas, who missed practice on Wednesday for maintenance but is set to play. Montgomery also hinted that Alexandre Texier might be back in the lineup for the first time since March 27. "He has incredible self-belief and confidence," Montgomery praised Texier, emphasizing his high skill level with the puck.
On the other hand, Tyler Tucker could replace Ryan Suter in the third defensive pairing. Suter, known for his durability with 534 consecutive regular-season games played, is a veteran presence, but Montgomery believes Tucker's offensive capabilities need to be utilized more effectively.
As the Blues prepare for this critical matchup, they will look to leverage their home-ice advantage. St. Louis finished the regular season on a strong note, boasting a 12-game home winning streak and a solid 24-14-3 record at the Enterprise Center. However, they struggled against the Jets earlier in the season, losing both home games.
The Jets, who finished the regular season with the President’s Trophy, come into Game 3 with momentum after winning Game 2 by a score of 2-1. Mark Scheifele opened the scoring and assisted Kyle Connor on the game-winning goal in the third period, showcasing the Jets' depth and offensive prowess.
Betting odds indicate the Jets as slight favorites at -120 on the moneyline, while the Blues sit at +100. The spread favors Winnipeg at -1.5, and the total for the game is set at 5 goals. With the stakes high, fans should expect an intense and competitive atmosphere as both teams vie for crucial playoff positioning.
As the puck drops, the Blues will need to play with urgency and precision. Winning Game 3 is essential; teams that manage to win Game 3 after falling behind 0-2 have a 24% chance of coming back to win the series. Conversely, if they lose, their chances drop to a staggering 1.6%.
The pressure is palpable as the Blues aim to turn the tide against the Jets. With their playoff lives on the line, they must harness the energy of their home crowd and execute their game plan effectively. The story of the Blues' season hangs in the balance as they prepare to face off against a formidable opponent in the Winnipeg Jets.
Fans eagerly await the outcome of this pivotal matchup, hoping for a thrilling performance from the Blues to spark a comeback in the series. The stakes couldn't be higher, and the excitement in St. Louis is palpable as they gear up for what promises to be an unforgettable night of playoff hockey.
