The Winnipeg Jets are heading to the second round after a major rally in Game 7 and will face another team that also showed resilience in Game 7.
The Jets beat the St. Louis Blues, 4-3, in the second overtime Sunday night on an Adam Lowry goal to set up a meeting with the Dallas Stars.
But the story was how Winnipeg got to overtime.
The Jets were trailing 3-1 with two minutes left in regulation, seemingly poised for another disappointing first-round exit. But Vladislav Namestnikov and Cole Perfetti scored to tie the game. Perfetti’s goal with less than three seconds left was the latest game-tying goal in Game 7 history.
The Jets, playing without No. 1 center Mark Scheifele for a second consecutive game, lost No. 1 defenseman Josh Morrissey in the first period. Defenseman Neal Pionk played 46 minutes and had three assists, including taking the shot that went in off Jets captain Lowry.
The big question heading into Game 7 was the play of Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who was pulled in all three games in St. Louis. That remained Sunday when the Blues (Jordan Kyrou) scored on the first shot for the second game in a row, took a 2-0 lead on a Mathieu Joseph goal and got a goal by Radek Faksa with 35 seconds left in the second period for a 3-1 lead.
But Hellebuyck settled down and made the saves he needed to make as the Jets outshot St.. Louis 15-4 in the third period. Winnipeg scored both third-period goals with Hellebuyck on the bench for an extra skater.
The NHL’s No. 1 overall team will host the Stars on Wednesday night in Winnipeg. The Stars overcame a 2-0 lead in the third period to beat the Colorado Avalanche 4-2 on a Mikko Rantanen hat trick. Dallas won the series without its top forward and defenseman.
USA TODAY Sports provided updates on Game 7 between the Winnipeg Jets and St. Louis Blues. Here ae the highlights:
Jets vs. Blues highlights
What’s next for the Jets?
After their first playoff series win since 2021, the Jets will face the Stars in the second round. It’s the teams’ first playoff meeting and Winnipeg won the regular season series 3-1. Hellebuyck will try to match saves with 4 Nations Face-Off USA teammate Jake Oettinger. Dallas is expected to get Robertson and Heiskanen back for this series. The status of Winnipeg’s Scheifele and Morrissey is to be determined.
What’s next for the Blues?
They’ll have to work next season on better defending 6-on-5 situations. Most of their key players are signed long-term. Faksa and 40-year-old defenseman Ryan Suter are unrestricted free agents. Backup goalie Joel Hofer is a restricted free agent.
Jets-Blues final score: Jets 4, Blues 3 (2OT)
Neal Pionk’s shot goes in off captain Adam Lowry for the winner at 16:10 of the second period. Winnipeg is heading to the second round.
Five minutes left
Third-longest Game 7 in NHL history.
Halfway through second overtime
Fourth-longest Game 7 in NHL history.
Connor Hellebuyck save
He makes a glove save on Mathieu Joseph’s backhander. He’s looking confident.
Second overtime underway
The Blues have an all-time record of 11-6 in games that require multiple overtimes. The Jets are 1-2.
End of first overtime: Jets 3, Blues 3
The Jets controlled play in that period with an 11-4 edge in shots. Jordan Binnington had to make several big saves. Remember that he and Connor Hellebuyck were the goalies in the 4 Nations Face-Off final. That ended in the first overtime with Binnington’s Team Canada winning. Also remember that the Jets have been playing with five defensemen for most of this game because of an injury to Josh Morrissey. Dylan Samberg has played 36 minutes.
Three minutes left
Shots are 10-4 Winnipeg in overtime.
Big save by Jordan Binnington
He stops Nic Ehlers with five minutes left in the first overtime.
Jets go on power play
Brayden Schenn puts the puck over the glass. Blues kill it off.
Overtime underway
Winner faces Dallas in the second round.
End of third period: Jets 3, Blues 3
The Jets score twice in the final two minutes to tie the game. Vladislav Namestnikov and Cole Perfetti (his second of the game) get the goals. Both were scored with Connor Hellebuyck out for an extra skater. The Blues iced the puck several times as Winnipeg was rallying. Shots were 15-4 Jets in the period.
Jets-Blues score: Winnipeg ties game
Cole Perfetti scores on a tip in the final seconds to tie the game. We’re heading to overtime. Jets 3, Blues 3
Close call
Jets get a chance on a scramble but the puck is stopped on the goal line. A replay confirms no goal.
Jets-Blues score: Winnipeg gets one back
Vladislav Namestnikov’s shot deflects in off Blues defenseman Ryan Suter’s stick. Blues 3, Jets 2
Jets pull Connor Hellebuyck for extra skater
There’s 3:14 left.
Jordan Binnington save
He makes an arm save on Nic Ehlers in tight.
Midway through third period
Blues still lead 3-1.
Josh Morrissey injury update
The Jets’ No. 1 defenseman won’t return. He left the game in the first period.
Third period underway
St. Louis on the power play for 90 seconds. Jets kill it off.
End of second period: Blues 3, Jets 1
The Jets came out much better in the second period. They were physical, blocked shots and got a power play goal from Cole Perfetti. But that all went away when St. Louis’ Radek Faksa scored with 35 seconds. The Jets will have to kill the remaining 90 seconds of a penalty when the third period starts.
Blues go on power play
Nic Ehlers, who lost the puck before the last Blues goal, is called for tripping. Jets kill the remaining 30 seconds in the period and St. Louis will be on the power play to start the third.
Jets-Blues score: St. Louis gets late goal
Nic Ehlers loses the puck and Nathan Walker feeds Radek Faksa, who beats Connor Hellebuyck high glove side with 35 seconds left in the period. Could be a killer goal. Blues 3, Jets 1
Jets-Blues score: Cole Perfetti gets Winnipeg on board
He’s standing by the side of the net when he deflects in a Kyle Connor shot-pass. The Jets needed just seven seconds to score on the power play. Blues 2, Jets 1
Jets go on power play
Oskar Sundqvist is called for slashing. Jets had the top power play in the regular season.
Connor Hellebuyck playing better
He makes a giveaway but stops a Mathieu Joseph shot. He also stops a Brayden Schenn deflection.
Jets playing better
They’re throwing hits and have outshot St. Louis 5-0 so far.
Collision with Jordan Binnington
Vladislav Namestnikov misses an opportunity and Cole Perfetti collides with Binnington, who gets up slowly. Binnington stays in net.
Second period underway
No sign of Josh Morrissey.
End of first period: Blues 2, Jets 0
The worst possible start for Winnipeg in the Jets’ first home Game 7. The Blues score on their first shot for the second game in a row and they score another goal that Connor Hellebuyck probably wants back. No. 1 defenseman Josh Morrissey goes to the dressing room after an Oskar Sundqvist hit. Winnipeg also has trouble generating chances. Shots are 7-3 Blues after one period.
Jets get physical
Luke Schenn throws a couple big hits.
Josh Morrissey not on the bench
TBS reports that Jets No. 1 defenseman Morrissey is not on the bench.
Jets-Blues score: Mathieu Joseph doubles lead
Joseph skates into the zone after a Kyle Connor giveaway and beats Connor Hellebuyck clean. The struggling Jets goalie should have stopped that. Blues 2, Jets 0
Connor Hellebuyck save
Hellebuyck gets the save he needs after that first goal, stopping Robert Thomas.
Jets-Blues score: St. Louis takes early lead
St. Louis scores on its first shot. Connor Hellebuyck is out of position when Colton Parayko passes to Jordan Kyrou, who taps it in 70 seconds into the game. Winnipeg coverage broke down on the play. Blues 1, Jets 0
Game underway
Winner faces the Stars in the second round.
What time is Jets vs. Blues Game 7?
How to watch Stars vs. Avalanche Game 7: TV, stream
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Location: Canada Life Centre (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
- TV: TBS
- Stream: Max, Sling TV
Jordan Binnington vs. Connor Hellebuyck
This goalie matchup is the same one as in the championship game of the 4 Nations Face-Off. Binnington and Canada won that game 3-2 in overtime against Hellebuyck and the USA.
Coaches’ Game 7 records
Winnipeg’s Scott Arniel has never been a head coach in an NHL Game 7 but is 3-3 as an assistant or associate coach. St. Louis’ Jim Montgomery is 1-2 as a head coach. That includes a first-round loss in 2023 when he was coach of the Boston Bruins, the No. 1 overall and record-setting team that season. The Bruins won their Game 7 last season.
Goalies’ Game 7 records
Blues goalie Jordan Binnington is 2-0 with a 0.82 goals-against average and a .968 save percentage in Game 7s, both of them in the 2019 playoffs, including in the Stanley Cup Final. Winnipeg’s Hellebuyck is 1-0, 1.00, .973, winning in the 2018 playoffs.
Mark Scheifele ruled out for Game 7
Arniel said No. 1 center Mark Scheifele won’t play in Game 7. He was injured in Game 5 on a Brayden Schenn hit and didn’t play in Game 6.
St. Louis Blues vs. Winnipeg Jets prediction
Jason Anderson: Blues 5, Jets 4. The Jets had the best defense in hockey this year, with Connor Hellebuyck in the hunt for the Vezina, which makes his struggles in this series all the more baffling. He’s been pulled from all three road games and has a .815 save percentage in this series. This pick is less about the Blues, and more about Winnipeg being unable to keep pucks out of the net.
Mike Brehm: Jets 4, Blues 3. I’m giving the Jets the edge because they’re at home, and they were able to bounce back and win Game 5 after losing back-to-back games in St. Louis. They won that game despite losing Mark Scheifele to an injury. He won’t play Sunday, but Winnipeg still will have plenty of offense.
Jace Evans: Blues 4, Jets 2. The Jets battled all year to get the top seed for this moment, but I just don’t trust Connor Hellebuyck right now. The likely Vezina Trophy winner has given up at least three goals in five of the series’ six games. Not to oversimplify the game … but Game 7’s outcome hinges entirely on which Hellebuyck shows up.