The Winnipeg Jets pulled off a stunning comeback Saturday night, scoring three times in the final period to beat the St. Louis Blues 5-3 in their playoff opener.
Kyle Connor played hero for the Jets, ripping home the game-winner with just 1:36 left on the clock. The sold-out Canada Life Centre erupted as Connor’s shot from the left circle beat Blues goalie Jordan Binnington clean.
“It’s exactly what playoff hockey is all about,” Connor said with a grin after the game. “The building was electric.”
The Jets had been trailing 3-2 in the third when Alex Iafallo tied things up, pouncing on a loose puck and firing it past Binnington midway through the period.
An empty-netter in the final two minutes sealed the deal for Winnipeg.
This Jets team has been something special all year. They just wrapped up their best regular season ever, piling up 116 points and dominating both ends of the ice. They scored the third-most goals in the league while giving up the fewest.
But playoff success? That’s been harder to come by.
The Jets have made the postseason eight times in the last 11 years, but they’ve usually gone home early. Only twice have they made it past the first round since moving from Atlanta in 2011.
Vegas oddsmakers think this might be their year though. The Jets are tied with Florida for the second-best odds to win it all, right behind Colorado.
St. Louis won’t go down easily. The Blues had been on fire heading into the playoffs, winning 19 of their last 25 games – including an incredible 12-game winning streak that helped them sneak into the final playoff spot.
“We let this one slip away,” Blues captain Ryan O’Reilly said. “But it’s a long series.”
Both teams will get a breather before Game 2 on Monday night in Winnipeg.
