Welcome back to another edition of NHL Predictions here at Last Word on Hockey, where we provide analysis, insights, and predictions for upcoming NHL games. Tonight, the St. Louis Blues travel north for an intra-division matchup against the Winnipeg Jets.
NHL Predictions: St Louis Blues vs Winnipeg Jets
St. Louis Blues vs Winnipeg Jets
Time: 8:00PM Eastern Standard Time
How to Watch TV: FDSNMW, TSN3
2025-2026 Season Series: 1-0-0
Location: Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba
For the second time in just over a month, the Blues and Jets will face off. After the incredible first-round playoff series last season, these teams skated to an incredibly tight game in St. Louis, which saw a 1-0 Blues win. For the first time since their heartbreaking Game 7 overtime loss, the Blues return to Canada Life Centre looking for revenge.
Hopefully, the Blues can overlook what happened Sunday night, getting completely outplayed by Edmonton. Team Canada goaltender Jordan Binnington, in the midst of what is statistically his worst season to date, got the call to stop Connor McDavid and the Oilers. Against one of the stronger Canadian teams, Binnington struggled again. Given his play this season, it certainly would not be a surprise if he is Canada’s third goaltender for the upcoming Olympics.
Meanwhile, Winnipeg is returning home after an emotional game last night. Forward Jonathan Toews led the Jets back to Chicago, where he spent his entire career. Emotions ran high for both teams while Toews was welcomed back with loud cheers and open hearts by the fans wearing the Blackhawks sweater. Winnipeg was unable to ride that emotion to the end of the game, resulting in a 2-0 defeat.
The Blues in St. Louis
Not once in the 2025-2026 season have the St. Louis Blues won more than two games in a row. After wins against two of the top teams from the Eastern Conference on home ice, morale started to creep up in the locker room. If St. Louis could have carried that momentum through a difficult three-game swing, perhaps the season could be saved.
Unfortunately, it was evident early on that this was not going to happen. St. Louis came out flat, and you just can’t do that against a powerful team like Edmonton. The Oilers scored three goals in the first period, before adding another in each of the following periods. Surprisingly, this was only the second time the Blues have been shut out this season, the first coming in their home opener.
The Blues enter tonight 4-6-0 in their last ten games. Counting tonight, they have eight games left before the Olympic Break begins February 6th. 16 points can change the trajectory of a season for a team, especially later in the year. There have even been a few teams that have won at least eight in a row this season (Tampa Bay-11, Colorado-10, Buffalo-9). The Blues, however, just do not have the ability to put it together. It takes grit, consistency and passion from the players, and those are things the Blues have not had all year.
Jets Taking Off?
Counting last night in Chicago, Winnipeg has points in six of their last eight games. This play has pulled them out of last in the Western Conference and two below St. Louis in the race for the wild card. Unfortunately, teams like Chicago, Los Angeles, Anaheim, and Nashville are all blocking that path too.
Home ice has been kind to the Jets so far in 2026. They have dropped only three out of a possible 12 points at Canada Life Centre. With only four regulation losses since December first, the Jets have made their barn a difficult place to play. On the flipside, Winnipeg has a disheartening 1-8-2 record in their last eleven games. That many regulation losses are what will keep a team from the postseason.
In 2019, St. Louis dispatched Winnipeg in a first-round match-up on their road to the Stanley Cup. Last year, the Jets seemed to be cup or bust, winning the President’s Trophy with 116 points. The Blues took them to the literal last second of game seven before Winnipeg tied it and eventually won in overtime. The postseason battles have been epic since the Jets returned to Winnipeg in 2011, but it’s the regular season success that stands out. Since dropping the series to St. Louis in 2019, Winnipeg has been the more dominant team. In the regular season, they’ve won 14 of the last 20 meetings against the Blues.
Prediction:
Both of these teams desperately need the points to help them climb in the standings. At the end of the season, it is unlikely that either of these teams will get into the playoffs. There is a real possibility that these two teams are drafting in the top five come June, especially if the Blues’ season continues with the sub-.500 trend. Consistency is key in the NHL, and right now, Winnipeg meets that standard more than the boys in blue.
NHL Prediction: Jets win 3-1.
Prop Bets:
The over/under for this divisional rivalry game is 5.5 goals. Going with a 3-1 Jets win, we will take the under at +110. The Blues don’t have any players on point streaks after being shut out, so we’re calling on the youth to right the ship with Otto Stenberg scoring at +525! We think Toews will continue his play and momentum from last night in Chicago, so we’re also going to take him at +350.
Please play responsibly, check for your local rules and age restrictions; some jurisdictions require ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Main Photo: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images