Kyle Connor’s one-timer with 1:36 remaining in regulation broke a 3-3 deadlock and lifted the Winnipeg Jets to a 5-3 win over the St. Louis Blues in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round series Saturday night at a raucous Canada Life Centre.
Connor, who also had a pair of assists, hammered home the game-winner from the left circle to cap a dominant third period by the Jets, who outshot St. Louis 9-2 in the frame. Captain Adam Lowry added an empty-netter with 53 seconds left to seal the victory as white-clad fans erupted in the traditional “whiteout” celebration.
Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is set for Monday night in Winnipeg.
“It was electric out there,” said Connor. “You live for those moments in the playoffs.”
Mark Scheifele had a goal and two assists, becoming the franchise’s all-time leader in playoff points with 41, surpassing former captain Blake Wheeler (39). Jaret Anderson-Dolan also found the back of the net for the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Jets, who finished the regular season 56-22-4.
Alex Iafallo tied the game at 3-3 at 9:18 of the third period with a top-shelf snipe from the slot, answering an early second-period power-play goal from Blues forward Jordan Kyrou that had put St. Louis ahead. Kyrou’s goal, scored just 1:13 into the second, extended his point streak to four games (4 goals, 2 assists).
Robert Thomas also scored on the power play for the Blues in the first period, while Oskar Sundqvist chipped in an even-strength tally. Defenseman Justin Faulk contributed two assists for St. Louis, which secured the Western Conference’s final wild-card berth with a final-game victory.
Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck had a relatively quiet night, turning away 14 shots, while Blues netminder Jordan Binnington stopped 21 of 25 shots.
The opening period was a high-octane affair, with both teams trading punches in a 2-2 tie after 20 minutes. St. Louis held a 9-7 shot advantage and delivered a punishing 32 hits compared to Winnipeg’s 14. Anderson-Dolan and Scheifele scored for the Jets in the frame, while Thomas and Sundqvist replied for the Blues.
The Jets couldn’t capitalize on an early third-period power play, with Binnington making a key save on Connor’s one-timer, but the Winnipeg winger would get the last word late.
Following Lowry’s empty-net goal, tempers flared with 19 seconds remaining, as players from both sides engaged in some post-whistle scrapping — setting the tone for what promises to be a physical and emotional series.
The Jets also won the regular-season series 3-1 over St. Louis and looked every bit the contender on Saturday.
“We know this is just the start,” said Scheifele. “But that was a big one.”
