The trend for third period collapses unfortunately have followed the Winnipeg Jets into the postseason as a precarious 1-0 lead after 40 minutes gave way to two Blues goals and a 2-1 St. Louis victory in game one on the road to take a 1-0 series lead.

A physical tone is set very early and often by the Jets and they look better than they had the entire past month. Both teams traded chances back and forth through much of the first period as the Blues have more offensive zone puck possession – thanks to an early penalty taken by Mark Scheifele (see below why) – as shots are 8-7 for the Blues and 5v5 scoring chances are even at five each. Winnipeg draws first blood in the game with an absolute laser shot from Patrik Laine which did him, his team and an entire city of world of good to see happen. A few more big hits from the Jets to close out the period as they lead after 20 minutes, 1-0.

Jets continue their heavy play into the second period and even though no goals are scored, Winnipeg is still carrying most of the play as they lead in shots 11-8, and they have a slight edge in scoring chances. A couple of post hits both ways shows the goalies are capable of being beaten, but the tight checking makes prime scoring chances tough to come by.

The Jets do get the benefit of a couple of power play chances in the period, but nothing comes of it. Partly due to some of the issues with zone entry and gaining the middle of the ice, but Binnington also remains steady and stops a couple of shots from distance.

After an early Patrik Laine shot rings off the post for a second time in the night, the Blues don’t take too long to tie things up 4:05 into the period as David Perron scored on a set play off an offensive zone face off with a seeing-eye puck almost defies all logic getting past Hellebuyck.

One would have hoped that would have snapped the Jets back into the game, but the Blues continued to play steady hockey and Winnipeg couldn’t get anything of real substance going towards the Blues net and at the same time gave up far too many chances up the middle of the ice in the slot area in front of Hellebuyck. Sure enough, the Jets constant playing with fire almost all night burned them less than three minutes left in the game as Tyler Bozak found some open space and got a pass from Patrick Maroon for the game winning goal.

The Jets put together one last push with the goalie pulled, but Billington makes one more breathtaking stop to seal the win and 1-0 series lead.