ST. LOUIS – It’s not over yet for the St. Louis Blues. The Blues fended off elimination with a commanding 5-2 win in Game 6 over the Winnipeg Jets, setting the stage for a winner-take-all Game 7 to decide the first-round series.
For the third straight home game, the Blues chased goalie Connor Hellebuyck from the net. Hellebuyck allowed five goals on 23 shots through two period before Winnipeg rested him in the third period.
The Blues struck first with an opening goal from Philip Broberg, leading 1-0 after the first period. Winnipeg quickly answered in the second period, but it didn’t take much longer for the Blues to take control. The Blues rallied for four unanswered goals late in the second period with Nathan Walker, Brayden Schenn, Cam Fowler, and Alexey Toropchenko all lighting the lamp.
Winnipeg managed a powerplay goal in the third period, but never sustained much momentum as the Blues largely controlled pace and puck possession most of the night.
The Jets narrowly edged the Blues in hits, 40-36, but St. Louis outshot the Jets, 27-23. Jordan Binnington stayed composed with 25 saves, including several high-quality stops in the third period.
The Blues and Jets are now tied 3-3 in the first-round series, and the best-of-seven series comes down to one final battle. Up next, Game 7 in Winnipeg. Puck drop is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT Sunday.
So far, the home team has won every game of this series, and it’s one of only two first-round sets across the NHL heading to a full seven games.
QUOTES
New Blues social media sensation and Super Bowl champion coach Jon Gruden: “Well, we’re a nightmare. I would not want to play the Blues. I would not want to play them in Game 7. I’m just really excited. This was my first Blues game. To win three out of [the last] four against that [Jets] hockey team is a great, great job by everybody. I can’t wait for Game 7. That’s all I’ll say.”
Forward Nathan Walker on the Blues’ fourth line after three goals in four games: “We like to get pucks up top, get to the net and create chaos that way. Over the time of a series, I think I can kind of wear down and I think other things step up.”
Walker on four unanswered second-period Blues goals: “We had to control the momentum there. After [the Jets] got a powerplay goal [to even game 1-1], we were a little flat, came out and took the momentum back. I think [we can] definitely take momentum from this game and take what has worked, use that to our advantage, and create our own energy out there.”
Defenseman Philip Broberg on setting the tone offensively with the game’s opening goal: “They worked hard, and we responded well, and after that, we played better, and we were able to play to our strengths. … The effort we bring, there’s a lot of forecheck and gaps. We play as a five-man unit.
Defenseman Cam Fowler on offensive contributions from defenders: “I think we feel like we have guys on the back end that can contribute offensively, especially the way we can skate, and trying to move the puck through the neutral zone. It’s been a point of emphasis for our group and we have guys who can execute it. I think when we’re doing that and working as a five-man unit [with the forwards], it’s hard to defend. A lot of it starts with the pressure that forwards put on the puck in the offensive zone. That kind of helps us get to our step and get pucks to the net.”
Captain Brayden Schenn on looking forward to Game 7: “It’s what you work for. It’s one of those things where you have to go and enjoy the moment and take your work seriously, but enjoy the moment while you’re there. It’s going to be tough to play [in Winnipeg], we know that, but we feel like we haven’t had our best there yet and we look forward to the challenge.”
Head coach Jim Montgomery on a Game 7 ahead: “We’re onto the next game. Just like when we lost Game 5, we’re onto the next game. We got to continue to improve throughout the series and bring that attitude that we need to have of trying to create chaos at their net front, and trying to create chaos with our speed and physicality.”