Welcome to NHL Predictions! After many days of multiple Stanley Cup Playoff games, we have just one on this Friday. However, it is a big one, as it is an elimination game in the Western Conference. The St. Louis Blues seek to keep their season alive, while the Winnipeg Jets look to punch their ticket to the second round.
Time: 8:00 P.M. EST
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Midwest, TNT, truTV, Max
Through the first five games of this series, the visiting locker room has been an unhappy one. The home team has won every game of the series. The Jets, as a result of their President’s Trophy-winning season, enjoy the home-ice advantage in this series as well as the series lead.
In addition to the success of the home teams, this series also includes a discrepancy when it comes to the margin of victory in Winnipeg and St. Louis. The three games in Winnipeg have been decided by no more than two goals, while the two games in St. Louis have been decided by no less than four goals.
As this series started, it was no secret that there was concern with how Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck would perform. Yet, the Blues have had games in this series where they have failed to generate shots on goal to test Hellebuyck. Game 5 was the worst case of this. Through two periods, the Blues had just nine shots. What makes this even more confusing is the Blues were putting the puck in the net when they took a shot. Nathan Walker, parking himself in front of the net, deflected in a shot in the first period while Jimmy Snuggerud sniped a wrist shot passed Hellebuyck in the second period. Instead of continuing to generate shots, the Blues allowed the Jets to take control of the game.
The Blues demonstrated in Games 3 and 4 that they could solve Hellebuyck and do it effectively. To force a Game 7, the Blues need to generate more chances. They will not beat the Jets with just nine shots in two periods. As good as Jordan Binnington has been, he alone cannot will the Blues to victory. The Blues need everyone. Their goalie, their core, and their supplementary players must put together a solid 60-minute effort.
The Jets got the first line back together for Game 5 with the return of Gabriel Vilardi. Unfortunatley, the Jets lost Mark Scheifele in the first period of Game 5. Futhermore, Scheifele did not make the trip to St. Louis and will not play in Game 6.
Once again, the Jets will have to juggle their lines to try and find a successful combination for Game 6. As of now, Vladislav Namestnikov appears to be the one who will centre the top line between Vilardi and Kyle Connor. Namestnikov played well in Game 5, scoring the game-winning goal late in the second period.
The Jets hope to have Scheifele back in their lineup sooner. However, they are hoping it is for Game 1 of the second round, not Game 7 on Sunday night.
When he has a chance to eliminate a team from the playoffs, Hellebuyck is 3-1. When facing elimination in his career, Binnington is 3-2.
Who do we give the edge to in this game? Well, we are going with the series trend and the health factor. The home team is 5-0 this series. The home team for Game 6 is the healthier team. We are picking the home team. Game 7 Sunday night.
Blues win, 4-2.
The over/under is set at 5.5 goals. We are taking the over with six goals.
We are picking Mason Appleton as an anytime-scorer for the Jets. For the Blues anytime-scorer, we are picking Snuggerud.
Main Photo: Terrence Lee- Imagn Images
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