The second game of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs between the Winnipeg Jets and the St. Louis Blues will take place on April 22 at the Canada Life Centre. The series score is 1-0 in favor of Winnipeg. Winnipeg vs. St. Louis: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Winnipeg Jets
The team secured a victory in the first home game against St. Louis (5-3). Winnipeg outshot their opponents 26-17, with two players, Kyle Connor (1 goal, 2 assists) and Mark Scheifele (1 goal, 2 assists), each earning three points. At the end of the regular season, the club was among the league's most prolific teams, scoring 277 goals, while also having the best defensive record, being the only club not to exceed 200 goals conceded (191).
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The club has scored at least three goals in regular time in 7 of their last 8 NHL home games.
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Winnipeg has won 5 of their last 6 league games (1 in overtime, 1 in shootouts).
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No more than five goals were scored in three periods in 10 of the last 12 NHL games involving Scott Arniel's team.
St. Louis Blues
Jim Montgomery's side lost to Winnipeg in the first game of the Stanley Cup first round, 3-5. Notably, the team scored twice on the power play and significantly outperformed their opponents in physical battles (53-33). It's worth mentioning that St. Louis was among the teams with the worst penalty kill in this season's regular championship (74.2%).
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St. Louis has not scored more than two goals in regular time in 8 of their last 10 NHL meetings at Winnipeg's venue.
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The team lost after 60 minutes in four of their previous league away games (1 in shootouts).
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At least five goals were scored in regular time in 7 of St. Louis's last 9 NHL away games.
Winnipeg vs. St. Louis: Match Prediction
Winnipeg performed well in the first game of the Stanley Cup playoffs, not sitting back and managing to score five goals against their opponents. In the upcoming match, the club will aim for another victory, especially since the head-to-head statistics should boost the Canadians' confidence: the team has won 6 of their last 8 league meetings in regular time (scoring at least three goals in each of these six matches). Winnipeg's games, with the support of home fans, often end in triumph: the club has won 6 of their last 7 home league games (2 in overtime).
St. Louis consistently makes defensive errors from game to game: the team has conceded at least three goals in 6 of their last 7 league games over 60 minutes. I believe this is the reason for their regular defeats: the club has lost 4 of their last 5 NHL games in regular time (1 after shootouts). The head-to-head statistics also do not inspire confidence that St. Louis can defend against Winnipeg's sharp attacks: the team has conceded at least three goals in 7 of their last 8 league meetings in regular time.
Winnipeg looks like a clear favorite. I think the team will once again deliver a high-scoring performance. My prediction: Winnipeg Jets individual total over 2.5 goals
