ST. LOUIS (AP) — In a thrilling showdown, the St. Louis Blues rallied from behind to defeat the Winnipeg Jets 5-2 on Friday night, May 2, 2025, forcing a decisive Game 7 in their first-round playoff series. The victory came thanks to a stunning display in the second period where Cam Fowler, Brayden Schenn, and Nathan Walker each found the back of the net within a mere 2:13, turning the tide of the game.
Philip Broberg contributed significantly with a goal and an assist, while Alexey Toropchenko also scored for the Blues. Goalkeeper Jordan Binnington made 21 saves, showcasing his skills at a crucial moment as St. Louis prepares to head back to Winnipeg for the series finale on Sunday night.
The Jets, who had been leading the series 3-2, saw goals from Cole Perfetti and Nino Niderreiter, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win. Winnipeg's Connor Hellebuyck, who had been a standout performer for the team, made 18 saves before being replaced by Eric Comrie after the second period. Hellebuyck’s struggles continued as he has now lost seven consecutive road playoff starts, allowing at least four goals in each of those games.
Perfetti's power-play goal at 5:43 into the second period tied the game at 1-1, but the momentum quickly shifted in favor of the Blues. St. Louis had a strong home advantage, having won their last 14 games at home, a streak that began on February 23, 2025. The Blues have outscored their opponents 69-25 during this incredible run, with an average victory margin of 3.14 goals per game.
Before the game, the Blues were determined to maintain their home dominance, especially after winning Games 3 and 4 in St. Louis by scores of 7-2 and 5-1. “We’ve played some good hockey at home for a couple months now,” said Blues forward Brayden Schenn. “We’re comfortable there.”
However, the Jets were without their star player Mark Scheifele, who was sidelined due to injury from Game 5. Jets coach Scott Arniel acknowledged the impact of Scheifele's absence, stating, “Certainly, not having him is going to be huge. But at the end of the day, our three centermen had to step up and play big minutes and did a great job.”
As the teams prepare for Game 7, the Blues will aim to continue their home winning streak, while the Jets will look to break the trend that has seen the home team win every game in the series so far. The stakes are high, and with both teams having shown their strengths, fans can expect an exhilarating conclusion to this playoff battle.
With the series tied at three games apiece, all eyes will be on Winnipeg’s Bell MTS Place for the final showdown. The Blues will need to capitalize on their home performance, while the Jets will be looking to secure their first series win on the road since 2018. The anticipation is palpable as the teams prepare for what promises to be a thrilling Game 7.
As the clock ticks down to the decisive game, both teams are aware of the pressure that comes with playoff hockey. The Blues will have to rely on their home crowd to fuel their performance, while the Jets will need to find a way to overcome their recent road struggles. The outcome is uncertain, but one thing is clear: this series has been a rollercoaster of emotions, and the final game will be no different.
In the end, it’s the players on the ice who will determine the fate of their teams. With both sides having shown resilience and skill throughout the series, it’s anyone’s game as the Blues and Jets prepare for the ultimate showdown.
