Kyle Connor of the Winnipeg Jets (81) celebrates after scoring a goal against the St. Louis Blues, with Mark Scheifele (55) joining in the celebration during the third period of their NHL playoff game in Winnipeg on Monday, April 21, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Greenslade
Kyle Connor is making a name for himself this playoff season, scoring crucial game-winning goals for the Winnipeg Jets. After securing a game-winner in Saturday’s game, Connor did it again on Monday night, helping the Jets clinch a 2-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues. This win gives Winnipeg a commanding 2-0 lead in their playoff series.
Connor’s timely goal came in the third period, just 1:43 into the frame. After a precise pass from Cole Perfetti, Connor found the back of the net, putting the Jets in the lead. His previous game-winning goal in Saturday's 5-3 win also came in the dying minutes of the third period, showcasing his knack for clutch performances.
Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was solid in the net, stopping 21 shots from the Blues. The win marks the first time in three seasons that Winnipeg has started the playoffs with a 2-0 series lead. In the past two seasons, the Jets won Game 1 only to fall short in the following matches.
Despite the strong start, Jets coach Scott Arniel emphasized that there’s no time for complacency. "This is all about Game 3 now," he said. The team will shift its focus to Thursday's game in St. Louis.
St. Louis managed to get on the scoreboard late in the first period, with rookie Jimmy Snuggerud scoring his first-ever playoff goal. However, Winnipeg’s defence held firm as they fended off the Blues’ power plays. The Jets out-hit the Blues 33-29 in a physical contest, with defencemen Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn delivering some bruising hits.
Scheifele played a pivotal role in setting up Connor's game-winning goal, using his excellent positioning to create space for Perfetti, who then delivered the perfect pass to Connor. Scheifele also added a goal of his own in the third period, making it 2-1 with a backhand shot that bounced off Snuggerud and into the net.
The Blues will head home to St. Louis for Game 3, hoping to use their strong regular-season record at home to mount a comeback. They were 24-14-3 at home this season, including a remarkable 12-game winning streak. In their regular-season series, the Jets went 3-1 against the Blues, including two wins on the road.
As the Jets look to extend their series lead, the spotlight will remain on Kyle Connor, whose timely goals are proving to be a difference-maker in this first-round playoff series.
