Game Information
St. Louis Blues at Winnipeg Jets - Game 5 of Western Conference quarterfinals (series tied 2-2)
Time: 8:30pm CT Wednesday
How to watch: FanDuel Sports Network, ESPN
DraftKings Series Odds
Odds: Jets -185, Blues +155
DraftKings Game 5 Odds
Moneyline: Jets -175, Blues +145
Total: 5.5 (over +120, under -142)
Blues, Jets Return To Winnipeg
The St. Louis Blues and Winnipeg Jets are tied at two games apiece heading into Game 5 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series on Wednesday night at Canada Life Centre.
Despite three of the first four games going over the listed total of 5.5, we have another total of 5.5 here in Game 5 with significant juice to the under at -142.
Binner A Winner
The Blues destroyed the Jets by a combined score of 12-3 in the two games in St. Louis, and as Sports Hub STL’s Bernie Miklasz lays out, there has been a stark difference between the two goaltenders.
Jordan Binnington and Connor Hellebuyck have squared off ten times in the playoffs during their careers. Binnington has gone 6-4 with a 2.50 GAA, .907 save percentage, and +0.3 goals saved above average. The 2019 Stanley Cup champion has allowed two goals or less in seven of those ten meetings.
We Want Connor!
As for Hellebuyck in those ten matchups, he is 4-6 with a 3.25 GAA, .883 save percentage, and a minus 6.2 goals saved above average. Hellebuyck has given up two goals or less in just three of those ten games.
And the numbers keep getting worse for the man Blues fans have loudly expressed they want to see in between the pipes for the Jets. Since the start of the 2023 playoffs, Hellebuyck is 4-10 in his 14 postseason games with a 4.27 GAA and .866 save percentage. Hellebuyck has a career postseason record of 20-29, including 4-14 in his last 18 playoff games.
My Pick
I want Connor in Game 5 because I think we have a good money-making opportunity here. I was questioning heading into Game 4 whether Hellebuyck was spooked by his recent playoff struggles. After watching what transpired on Sunday afternoon, the answer to that question is a resounding YES in my mind.
I truly think the Blues are going to finish off the Jets in 6. But just to be a little more cautious, my pick for Game 5 is for the Blues to go over their team total of 2.5 goals - meaning this play can still cash even if the Blues lose the game. Hellebuyck has given up at least 3 goals in 12 of his last 13 playoff games, which is not a fluke at this point. So I think taking the over on the Blues’ team total is the best path to a winning bet.
Pick: Blues team total over 2.5 at +100 on DraftKings (bet to -110)
Eric Sontag hosts Domesticated Gamblers every Friday on the Sports Hub STL YouTube channel. Follow him on X @GamblingDads, and click here for his daily picks on all of our St. Louis area sports teams. Picks = betting the game - minus odds betting to win 1 unit, plus odds risking 1 unit. Leans = no strong opinion, not betting the game. Disclaimer