Winnipeg Jets vs St. Louis Blues Picks and Predictions May 4th 2025

Jets vs Blues Game 7: Will Home Ice Decide This Showdown?

When the Winnipeg Jets last hosted a Game 7, it wasn’t in the NHL. It was 1977, in the now-defunct WHA, when they took down the San Diego Mariners. This Sunday, nearly five decades later, the stakes are higher, the league is stronger, and the stage is set: a winner-take-all Game 7 in the Western Conference first round between the Winnipeg Jets and the St. Louis Blues.

The Jets enter with history, hardware, and home ice. The Blues bring momentum, swagger, and the belief that they’ve already cracked the code.

The Tale of the Tape: Home Ice Has Been Everything

Not one road team has tasted victory in this series. That’s been both a blessing and a curse for the Jets, who now have the weight of expectation pressing down.

They dominated the regular season, capturing the Presidents’ Trophy with a 20-point lead over the Blues. And yet, they’ve struggled to close the door on a St. Louis team that barely squeezed into the playoffs as a Wild Card.

“We’ve got to go home, take care of our business,” Jets head coach Scott Arniel said after the Game 6 loss. But pressure is building.

The Blues hammered Winnipeg 5-2 in Game 6, scoring four goals in the second period to blow the game open. In all three of their home wins, they chased elite goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and won by at least three goals.

For live updates on Game 7 betting action and lines, visit the NHL Odds Page.

Hellebuyck, Scheifele, and the Weight of Expectations

Goaltending has always been the Jets’ safety valve. But in St. Louis, Hellebuyck has looked shaky. The Vezina Trophy finalist was pulled yet again in Game 6, a troubling trend that’s coincided with his team’s losses.

That said, he has history on his side. In 2018, Hellebuyck backstopped Winnipeg to a Game 7 win over the Nashville Predators with a dominant 38-save performance.

The Jets could also get a major boost if Mark Scheifele suits up. He missed Game 6 due to injury but skated Saturday and will be a game-time decision.

“We know what we’re capable of,” said forward Cole Perfetti, who’s had a strong series in Scheifele’s absence. “We know what kind of team we are.”

Find key player stats and trends leading into Game 7 on the NHL Team Page.

Blues Banking on Belief, Binnington, and Big Game DNA

The Blues know what it takes to win Game 7s. They’re 10-8 all-time in Game 7s as a franchise and famously won Game 7 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final against the Bruins.

That game’s goaltender? Jordan Binnington, who is now 2-0 in Game 7s and has allowed just one goal in each. He’s been tested in this series and has responded with poise—something the team has leaned on when games have gotten tight.

“We’re in Game 7 of the playoffs. It’s what we’ve all dreamed of,” said head coach Jim Montgomery. “This is why we play.”

And then there’s Brayden Schenn, a player made for moments like this.

“You have to enjoy it,” Schenn said. “It’s going to be a tough building, but we haven’t played our best there yet. We’re looking forward to it.”

For insight into playoff futures and cup scenarios, head over to the Stanley Cup Odds Blog.

Coaching Chess Match: Arniel vs. Montgomery

This series has been one of in-game adaptation. Arniel has tried to shield Hellebuyck and juggle lines to create mismatches. Montgomery, meanwhile, has pushed the right buttons—especially in neutral zone pressure and mid-game surges.

The second period has been St. Louis’ killing ground. In Game 6, they scored four unanswered goals in just over 12 minutes, swinging the series back in their favor.

How Arniel counters that momentum—and whether he trusts Hellebuyck again if things go south early—will be pivotal.

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X-Factors and What to Watch

• Jordan Kyrou (Blues): Fast, opportunistic, and creative. He’s been dangerous in transition and leads St. Louis with five points in the series.
• Nino Niederreiter (Jets): Quietly productive and always in the mix on the forecheck. If Scheifele can’t go, Niederreiter’s line could carry the offensive load.
• Special Teams: The Jets have gone cold on the power play (2-for-20), while the Blues have cashed in at timely moments. If penalties swing the game, watch for this to be the difference.

Looking for prop bets on goal scorers or goaltending saves? Visit the NHL Pick Page for top expert predictions.

Legacy on the Line for Winnipeg

There’s no sugarcoating it: the Jets are under pressure. As the league’s top regular-season team, anything short of a series win will feel like failure. And blowing a series to the eighth seed, at home, would sting for years.

Still, history is on their side. Home ice has held all series long, and they’ve played well in front of their crowd—fast starts, physical play, and stretches of dominance. If they channel that, Game 7 is theirs to lose.

Need more playoff projections? Get a full breakdown with the Expert Betting Guide.

Blues Embrace the Road Role

The Blues have nothing to lose—and that’s dangerous. Their best hockey has come when they’ve had their backs to the wall. And they believe they haven’t shown their best on the road.

If Binnington plays like he has in past Game 7s, and the Blues stay out of the box, they can absolutely shock the Jets. The experience is there. The belief is there. Now it’s about executing.

To learn more about each team’s playoff past, visit the NHL Central Division Odds Blog and NHL Conference Winner Odds.

Final Prediction: Can the Jets Avoid Disaster?

It’s hard to ignore the trends—especially home dominance in this series. Winnipeg will be desperate, and their crowd will fuel them early. But the longer the game stays close, the more dangerous St. Louis becomes.

Expect a low-scoring, gritty affair. Game 7s rarely go according to script, and this one feels like it’ll come down to the final few shifts.

Prediction: Jets 3, Blues 2 (OT)

FAQs

Where is Game 7 being played?
In Winnipeg at Canada Life Centre.

When is the puck drop for Jets vs. Blues Game 7?
Scheduled for 7:30 PM local time Sunday night.

How has Jordan Binnington performed in Game 7s?
He’s 2-0, allowing just one goal in each previous appearance.

Who’s injured for the Jets?
Mark Scheifele is a game-time decision after missing Game 6.

What’s the series history between these teams?
St. Louis defeated Winnipeg in the 2019 first round, 4-2.

Where can I find the latest Game 7 betting tips?
Check the NHL Expert Guide and Pick Page on ScoresAndStats.com.