The Stanley Cup Playoffs are here, and the action starts with a showdown between the St. Louis Blues and Winnipeg Jets.
The pregame narrative: Those expecting goals will likely have to wait for Saturday’s second contest between the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars. This profiles as a low-scoring contest which is why I’m fading Jordan Kyrou and backing a teased-down under.
Check out my Blues vs. Jets Game 1 predictions below.
Blues vs. Jets predictions
Best Bet: Under 4.5 goals (+185)
You can typically find longer odds for a game total this low.
For example, the under on 4.5 goals for Avalanche vs. Stars is priced at +265.
But nobody is going to confuse these two offences with Colorado and Dallas.
Winnipeg tied for third in goals per game this season (3.35), but it has a pair of key absences to begin the playoffs. Nikolaj Ehlers and Gabriel Vilardi are both out for Saturday’s matchup.
- Ehlers finished third on the team with 63 points.
- Vilardi was fifth with 61.
St. Louis, meanwhile, scored the third-fewest goals per game of any Western Conference playoff team (3.05).
The Blue also have the unenviable task of trying to score against Vezina Trophy favourite, Connor Hellebuyck. Hellebuyck owned an NHL-best .925 save percentage and backstopped Winnipeg to the fewest goals allowed for a second consecutive campaign.
Hellebuyck should also be extra motivated to best the man across the ice from him after Jordan Binnington led Canada past the United States of America at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
The Jets beat the Blues, 3-1, on April 7, and I expect a similar outcome in Game 1.
Key stat: Hellebuyck has allowed one goal or fewer in three of his last four starts.
Quick pick
Kyrou to not score 1+ points (-109): I’m not expecting St. Louis to score much, making this a logical extension of my first pick.
Kyrou finished second on the Blues in scoring this season with 70 points, but I don’t expect him to do much damage in Game 1.
Firstly, Kyrou isn’t on St. Louis’ top power play. He skates on the second unit, which limits his opportunities on the man advantage.
Secondly, Kyrou isn’t on the Blues’ first forward line. He’s on the second unit where he doesn’t have exposure to the team’s leading playmaker, Robert Thomas.
Kyrou struggled in his two most recent appearances against the Jets, recording zero points. Bet on another poor output from the speedy forward.
Blues vs. Jets predictions made at 10:19 a.m. ET 04/19/2025.
Stevie’s an avid NFL, NHL, and tennis bettor who has no problem talking himself into the underdog. His previous stops include Yahoo! Sports Canada and Toronto Metropolitan University, where he received a degree in Sport Media.