Game 5 between the Winnipeg Jets and St. Louis Blues is set to take place Wednesday night at Canada Life Centre. Jets fans didn’t think they would be in this position after going up 2–0 in the series. But after two abysmal performances in St. Louis, the series is now tied at two games apiece and has turned into a best-of-three. Jets fans may be panicking, with bad memories and playoff demons from the past starting to creep in. But I’m here to share three positives for Winnipeg in this series so far to give Jets fans some peace of mind heading into Game 5.

This has really been a strength for the Jets all season long. Winnipeg had the second-best home record in the NHL this year. Both of the Jets’ wins in this series have come on home ice. In these playoffs especially, the Jets are a completely different team at home—and I mean that in the best way possible. They feed off their fans, and the whiteout has been in full force this series. Home-ice advantage hasn’t just been a positive in this series—if the Jets beat the Blues, it’ll be a key advantage moving forward in the playoffs.

Connor has been the Jets’ best forward by far in this series. He leads the team in points this post-season with five and in goals with three. He’s looked dangerous every time he’s touched the puck. He and Mark Scheifele have done the majority of the offensive damage for the Jets, and they received some good news Tuesday. Gabe Vilardi will be returning to the lineup for Game 5. Vilardi practised on the top line with Connor and Scheifele after being sidelined with an upper-body injury since March 23. Connor has been a huge bright spot for the Jets this series, and they’ll need him to continue that momentum moving forward.

Seven of the Jets’ 10 goals this series have come at five-on-five. While some might see that as a sign of a lacklustre power play, I see it as a positive. Scoring at even strength is a premium in the playoffs, and it’s been a strength for Winnipeg. I do expect the power play to get going soon, especially with Vilardi returning, but the Jets’ five-on-five production shouldn’t be overlooked. Winnipeg will need that to continue if they want to advance in the playoffs.

Game 5 takes place at 8:30 p.m. CT in what is expected to be another hard-hitting, electric game between these two Central Division rivals. Can the Jets rebound after two disappointing losses, or will this be another tarnish on Connor Hellebuyck’s playoff résumé?

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