Welcome to a Sunday edition of NHL Predictions! We are in the last weekend of April. May begins this week. Teachers and students, summer break is almost here! Until then, enjoy some NHL playoff hockey. The Stanley Cup Playoffs continue on Sunday with four games. This installment of NHL Predictions focuses on Game 4 between the St. Louis Blues and the Winnipeg Jets.
NHL Predictions
St. Louis Blues vs. Winnipeg Jets
Time: 1:00 P.M. EST
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Midwest, TBS, truTV, Max
Playoff Series: 2-1 Jets
This series has favoured the home team through the first three games. The Jets won Games 1 and 2 at home, while the Blues won Game 3 under their roof. The Jets won their games with timely goals by Kyler Connor, who had the game-winning goal in both wins. The Blues, meanwhile, found their footing in a big way in Game 3. Behind a hat trick from Pavel Buchnevich and five points from Cam Fowler, the Blues cruised to a 7-2 victory.
This is where the series finds itself heading into Game 4. Will the Blues tie the series and turn it into a best-of-five? Or will the Jets bounce back and take a 3-1 lead back to Winnipeg?
Blues Must Avoid Game 3 Hangover
Despite their dominance in Game 3, the Blues are not out of the woods yet. A Game 4 loss would put them in a 3-1 hole, with two of the next three games in the series being played in Winnipeg. The Blues need to keep their foot on the gas pedal.
To win Game 4, the Blues must continue getting pucks on the net and have traffic in front. Multiple goals from Game 3 were scored due to pucks being thrown on the net and players crashing the net. Furthermore, Connor Hellebuyck has struggled in the playoffs in his career. He was pulled in Game 3 after giving up six goals. Could Hellebuyck’s playoff demons be surfacing? The only way to find out is to put pucks on the net.
If the Blues lose this series, it needs to because they made Hellebuyck prove this year is different. Make him and the Jets earn it.
Jets Cannot Overthink
The Jets had to feel good about themselves after the first two games. However, after such a rough Game 3, Jets fans probably think, “Here we go again.” Nothing went right in Game 3. They were down 1-0 in the first minute. Hellebuyck struggled and got pulled. When the Jets had a chance to cut into the lead in the second period, Jordan Binnington made a great save, and a video review upheld the call on the ice.
The Jets have to be able to forget about Game 3. They cannot worry about their past failures or the expectations of them as President’s Trophy winners. The Jets still have the Blues near the ropes. A strong Game 4 can put them on the ropes and the brink of elimination. Suddenly, Game 3 looks like a footnote. It is easier said than done, but the team has to put Game 3 in the past. It was a bad night at the office, but they got right back at it Sunday. A new opportunity is before them.
Prediction
Is this year different for the Jets? If it is, they need to prove it. The Blues found their game in Game 3 and cruised past the President’s Trophy winners. The home team wins again, and this series heads back to Winnipeg tied 2-2.
Blues win, 5-2.
Prop Bets
The over/under is set at 5.5 goals. We are taking the over with seven goals.
We like Connor as an anytime scorer for the Jets. He had a quiet Game 3, but he does not remain off the score sheet for long. For the Blues, we think Jake Neighbours will score his first career playoff goal.
Main Photo: Jeff Curry- Imagn Images
Please play responsibly. Check for your local rules and age restrictions. Some jurisdictions require ages 21+. Have a gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
The post NHL Predictions: Game 4 St. Louis Blues Vs. Winnipeg Jets appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.