St. Louis Blues vs Winnipeg Jets Picks and Predictions May 2nd 2025

Jets Aim to Close Out Blues in Game 6 Without Scheifele

The Winnipeg Jets have a chance to eliminate the St. Louis Blues in Game 6 of their Western Conference first-round series on Friday night — but they’ll have to do it without one of their key offensive weapons.

Scheifele Sidelined After Game 5 Hit

Top-line center Mark Scheifele is considered day-to-day after taking a heavy hit from Brayden Schenn in the first period of Game 5. While Scheifele finished the period, he did not return for the second and has not been confirmed for Friday’s tilt.

Scheifele, who was second on the team in both goals (39) and points (87) in the regular season, has contributed six points in five playoff games. Jets coach Scott Arniel declined to comment when asked whether Scheifele is in concussion protocol.

“I’m not going down that road,” Arniel said.

In Scheifele’s absence, Vladislav Namestnikov stepped into the top-line role and delivered a goal and an assist in Game 5.

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“It’s not one guy that needs to fill the shoes of Mark. It needs to be everybody,” said Jets forward Kyle Connor. “Vladdy, he’s been great for the whole series… He drives hard to the net, plays all hard areas very well.”

Blues Return Home Looking to Force Game 7

The series has seen dramatic momentum shifts. After dropping the first two games in Winnipeg, the Blues responded with dominant 7-2 and 5-1 wins at home in Games 3 and 4. Now, back at Enterprise Center, they’ll look to recreate that energy to stave off elimination.

“They got the better of us (in Game 5), but we’ve got Game 6 at home and a job to do,” said St. Louis defenseman Justin Faulk.

One key focus will be generating more offensive pressure — the Blues managed just nine shots on goal in the first two periods of Game 5, failing to significantly challenge Connor Hellebuyck.

Head coach Jim Montgomery stressed the need for tighter puck support and more intensity.

“It’s every facet… We’ve got to forget about it. We’re in a series,” Montgomery said.

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Jets Look to Replicate Game 5 Blueprint

Winnipeg’s Game 5 performance was arguably their most complete of the series, with strong defensive coverage, efficient forechecking, and timely scoring. They’ll aim to duplicate that formula — and quiet a hostile St. Louis crowd in the process.

“Hopefully, we close this series out, but we know how good they are at home,” said Jets forward Mason Appleton. “That was our best game of the series, and we’ve got to duplicate that.”