The St. Louis Blues are set to face the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Winnipeg Jets in an electrifying first-round clash of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. This Central Division showdown promises gritty, physical hockey and a battle of contrasting styles.
Blues fans, here’s your guide to the series, breaking down the key storylines, players to watch, and strategic factors that could define this postseason duel.
The Matchup
The Blues, securing the Western Conference’s second wild-card spot with 96 points, have battled through injuries and inconsistency to earn their playoff berth.
A franchise-record 12-game winning streak and a 20-4-3 run earlier this season propelled them into the postseason, illuminating their resilience and postseason dark horse potential.
The Jets, finishing atop the NHL with over 110 points, are a juggernaut. Their elite defense, suffocating goaltending, and offensive depth make them a juggernaut first round foe. Winnipeg took the season series 3-1-0, outscoring St. Louis 11-10, though the Blues proved their mettle with a 4-1 win in Winnipeg on December 3, 2024.
Dylan Holloway is hot, hot, hot! 🔥🔥🔥 #stlblues pic.twitter.com/bm3Ic2LwOh
— FanDuel Sports Network Midwest (@FanDuelSN_MW) December 4, 2024
Key Storylines
Goaltending Showdown
This series could hinge on the crease, with Jordan Binnington facing off against Connor Hellebuyck. Binnington, the Blues’ 2019 Stanley Cup hero, has been inconsistent but showed flashes of brilliance in the 4 Nations Face-Off and has been a consistent presence in net for the Blues in crucial situations. However, don’t discount backup Joel Hofer as a contender to head coach Jim Montgomery to turn to should Binnington not look up to snuff.
Hellebuyck, a Vezina Trophy favorite, anchors the Jets’ league-leading defense (2.41 goals against per game) and is a wall in net. Expect low-scoring, tightly contested battles.
Blues’ Depth vs. Jets’ Firepower
The Jets’ offense, led by Mark Scheifele (39 goals) and Kyle Connor (41 goals), remains potent despite Nikolaj Ehlers’ week-to-week injury, which is expected to sideline him for the series’ start. The Blues, with Dylan Holloway listed as week-to-week and doubtful at this point to return. With hopes for a quick recovery and a potential return during the series, the Blues will rely on stars Robert Thomas, Pavel Buchnevich, and Jordan Kyrou to drive their attack. With Colton Parayko back in the lineup to anchor the blue line, St. Louis must play disciplined, structured hockey to counter Winnipeg’s depth.
Playoff Pedigree
The Blues hold an edge in postseason experience, with veterans like Ryan Suter, Justin Faulk, Cam Fowler, and Nick Leddy alongside of Parayko, bringing playoff experience to their blue line.
The Jets, despite their regular-season dominance, have faltered in recent playoffs, exiting in the first round in 2023 and 2024.
Apr 7, 2025; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; St. Louis Blues center Zack Bolduc (76) is chased down by Winnipeg Jets defenseman Logan Stanley (64) in the third period at Canada Life Centre.
James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images
Players to Watch
- Jordan Binnington (G, Blues): The 2019 postseason legend is the key to any upset. If “Playoff Binnington” emerges, the Blues can compete with anyone.
- Robert Thomas (F, Blues): The top-line center (21 goals, 81 points in 70 games) is a playmaking maestro. His vision and puck control will be critical in all areas of the game.
- Jordan Kyrou (F, Blues): A dynamic, team-leading scorer (36 goals), Kyrou’s speed and finishing could exploit gaps in Winnipeg’s defense, especially without Ehlers.
- X-Factor: Zachary Bolduc (F, Blues): The young forward’s speed and scoring touch (19 goals, 36 points) has unlocked a true one-timer threat for the Blues on the power play and off the rush could provide a spark in secondary matchups.
- Connor Hellebuyck (G, Jets): Winnipeg’s backbone and a Hart Trophy candidate (2.02 GAA, .924 SV% in 62 GP) has the ability to erase defensive mistakes makes him a game-changer.
- Kyle Connor (F, Jets): The Jets’ leading scorer (41 goals) drives their offense with elite vision and finishing. His 96 points in 81 games set a new career-high for the 28-year-old seeking his first Stanley Cup.
- Josh Morrissey (D, Jets): Three seasons in a row that saw the defenseman eclipse 60 points, one over 75 puts him among the top scoring defensemen in the NHL. His elite playmaking and power-play quarterbacking abilities make him crucial threat against the Blues’ top line.
Strategic Keys
Exploit Ehlers’ Absence
Just as the Blues are without Holloway for the time being, the Jets will also be without their third-highest point producing forward for the foreseeable future. Ehlers, 29, produced 24 goals and 63 points in 69 games during the 2024-25 season.
Special Teams
Both teams’ penalty kills rank average to below-average in the NHL, with the Blues at 74.2% (27th) and the Jets at 79.3% (13th). This presents a golden opportunity for St. Louis to strike. The Blues’ 21.2% (17th) power play must capitalize on Winnipeg’s penalty kill, especially with the Jets’ league-leading 28.9% power play posing a threat. Converting power-play chances is a must this round.
Why the Blues Can Win
The Blues’ resilience, shown through their franchise-record winning streak and ability to overcome injuries, makes them dangerous underdogs. With recent additions of Fowler and NCAA-prospect Jimmy Snuggerud to their lineup, depth and continued balance throughout their lineup make for a dangerous lineup to face off against.
Their scoring depth, with contributions from all four forward lines, and a defensive core led by Colton Parayko’s 16 goals this season, provide balance when the Jets continue to swarm and pressure their forward linemates.
Why the Jets Are Favored
As Presidents’ Trophy winners with 116 points, the Jets boast elite goaltending, a stingy defense, and offensive depth. Hellebuyck’s brilliance and Scheifele’s leadership give them an edge, even without Ehlers. On paper, their league-low goals against and firepower could overwhelm a Blues team still managing injuries. The resilient, battle-tested Blues have are a different team than the Jets have played this season. The question is whether that team will be the one who shows up in the first round to face the Jets or not.
Buckle up for an electric atmosphere at Enterprise Center and a series packed with heart-pounding moments.
Read More: Blues Prospects: Top 5 Prospect Performances of 2024-25