The high-flying Winnipeg Jets have hit some turbulence in their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the St. Louis Blues.
After jumping out to a commanding 2-0 series lead, the Jets got absolutely hammered in Games 3 and 4, getting outscored 12-3 by a Blues team that suddenly found its groove.
Now it’s back to home ice for Game 5, with the series tied 2-2 and momentum up for grabs.
The oddsmakers still like Winnipeg’s chances. The Jets are -184 favorites to win the series, while St. Louis sits at +152 as the underdog.
For Wednesday night’s crucial Game 5, Winnipeg is favored at -177, with the Blues at +147. The experts are expecting a defensive battle, with the under 5.5 goals getting heavy action at -140.
Kyle Connor’s scoring drought has become a real concern for Jets fans. He hasn’t managed more than a single point in his last five games when Winnipeg’s been favored against winning teams.
The numbers aren’t looking great for either team’s stars tonight. Statistical models predict just half a point for Connor, while the Blues’ Robert Thomas and Josh Morrissey are projected for even less.
It’s the kind of game where one bounce could make all the difference. With the series essentially becoming a best-of-three, home ice advantage might be exactly what the Jets need to regain control.
But if there’s one thing we’ve learned from Games 3 and 4, it’s that momentum can shift in a hurry during playoff hockey.
