The Winnipeg Jets are flying high into the Stanley Cup Playoffs after finishing the regular season with 116 points—good for first in the NHL and their first Presidents’ Trophy in franchise history. Their reward? A date with the St. Louis Blues, a scrappy team that clawed its way into the playoffs as the second Western Conference Wild Card. While on paper this may seem like a mismatch, there’s plenty of reason to believe this series could be closer than some expect.

Everything has clicked for Winnipeg this season. The team has found the perfect balance between elite goaltending, offensive firepower, and commitment to team defense. Their special teams have been lethal, with the power play clicking at a league-best 28.9%. On the defensive side, they finished first in goals against per game at 2.32, a testament to both their structure and the brilliance of Connor Hellebuyck.

Hellebuyck has been nothing short of phenomenal. He’s for sure a Vezina Trophy finalist with a .925 save percentage and multiple stretches this season where he single-handedly stole games. If the Jets are going to go deep, it’ll be behind his steady play between the pipes.

Offensively, Kyle Connor (97 points) led the way, but the scoring depth has been one of Winnipeg’s greatest strengths. Players like Nikolaj Ehlers, Cole Perfetti, and Gabriel Vilardi. The return to form from Mark Scheifele and the steady leadership of Adam Lowry give the Jets four lines that can play in any situation. On the back end, Josh Morrissey continues to anchor the blue line, contributing at both ends of the ice.

For most of the season, the Blues were a bubble team—quiet, inconsistent, and trailing in the standings. But since hiring Jim Montgomery, a second-half surge propelled them into playoff contention. They went 19-4-3 over their final 26 games and looked like a completely different team in the process.

Jordan Binnington, who will forever be remembered for backstopping St. Louis to their 2019 Stanley Cup, has found some of that magic again. While his overall numbers aren’t eye-popping, his play in the stretch run has given the Blues a fighting chance. If he can channel the same confidence and composure he showed in 2019, this series could get interesting.

Offensively, the Blues are led by Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou, with veteran leadership from Brayden Schenn and Pavel Buchnevich. They may not have the same offensive depth as Winnipeg, but they’ve shown they can grind out wins with tight-checking hockey and a relentless forecheck.

Connor Hellebuyck vs. Jordan Binnington: This one might be decided in the crease. Hellebuyck is a brick wall and a clear advantage for Winnipeg, but if Binnington can get hot, all bets are off.

Special teams: Winnipeg’s power play is dangerous, and the Blues will need to stay out of the box. Conversely, if they can generate chances on their own man advantage, they might be able to turn the tide.

Top lines: Connor-Scheifele-Iafallo vs. Neighbours-Kyrou-Buchnevich could be electric. Whoever wins this battle at 5-on-5 will set the tone for the series.

Winnipeg is deeper, faster, and more well-rounded. They’ve proven they can win in multiple ways—tight games, high-scoring battles, and defensive shutdowns. The biggest challenge for the Jets will be staying focused and not taking the underdog Blues lightly.

For St. Louis, the goal is to keep things close and frustrate the Jets. They’ll need to slow the pace, limit transition chances, and rely heavily on Binnington. A split in Winnipeg to start the series would be massive.

The Blues are a resilient bunch, and they’ve got experience on their side. But Winnipeg’s depth and structure give them the edge. If Hellebuyck plays the way he’s capable of, and the Jets stay disciplined, they should control the series. Don’t expect a sweep—but expect the Jets to move on.