4/19/25 Western Conference Stanley Cup Playoffs Game Recap
- Lyanna Yeow
- 4 minutes ago
- 7 min read
Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues (GAME 1)
The Winnipeg Jets won Game 1 in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the St. Louis Blues. This matchup took place at the Canada Life Centre and ended with a final score of 5-3 in the Jets' favor. Read about what led to the Jets’ win, the standout players of each team, stats, and when their next game is scheduled!
Game Recap
Although the first period started off slow, the momentum of both teams developed over time as there were great scoring chances and multiple hits delivered. The Blues struck first with a wrist shot, power play goal scored by #18 Robert Thomas during the first half of the period. This successful power play opportunity was made possible after Jets’ #5 Luke Schenn received an Interference penalty. The Blues one-goal lead did not last long after #63 Jake Neighbours received a slashing penalty and Jets’ #55 Mark Scheifele capitalized on a power play goal which tied the game (1-1). The Jets extended their lead after #28 Jaret Anderson-Dolan’s net front presence tipped in #36 Morgan Barron’s shot one minute and twenty-two seconds after Scheifele’s goal (2-1). The Blues answered back quickly with about two minutes left in the period with a game-tying goal scored by #70 Oskar Sundqvist (2-2). The Blues went into the second period on the power play after Jets’ #4 Neal Pionk received a roughing penalty with eighteen seconds left in the first period.
Blues' #25 Jordan Kyrou opened up the second period with a power play goal scored in the top left corner of the net during the final seconds of their successful power play. This goal helped the Blues to regain their one-goal lead (3-2). The Jets were unable to answer back to #25 Kyrou’s goal as they struggled to capitalize on their power play opportunity and their other scoring chances throughout the rest of the period. The Blues also had a couple great chances to score but both #50 Jordan Binnington (Blues) and #37 Connor Hellebuyck (Jets) remained solid. The Jets were given a power play opportunity with about fifteen seconds left in the period after #4 Nick Leddy (Blues) tripped #7 Vladislav Namestnikov (Jets).
The Jets kicked off the third period on the power play but were unable to capitalize on their attempt despite having a great chance to bury the puck deep into the net. Both teams struggled during the times that they found themselves on the man-advantage and during the thirty-eight seconds of 4-on-4 hockey. The game remained stagnant with a 3-2 lead for the Blues until the Jets were able to break through and tie the game after #9 Alex Iafallo shot the puck into the left lower corner of the net (3-3). The Jets continued their momentum with two additional goals scored with one minute and thirty-six seconds left in regulation. #81 Kyle Connor scored after a huge faceoff win and #17 C. Adam Lowry extended their lead by two-goals after he secured an empty net goal. The built up tempers from this game exploded into a scrimmage with 18.6 seconds and 2.4 seconds left in the game. After a physical and emotional battle, the Jets won Game 1 of the series with a final score of 5-3.
The standout players
Winnipeg Jets
St. Louis Blues
Stats
The Jets outshot the Blues (26 SOG vs. 17 SOG)
The Blues delivered more hits than the Jets (53 hits vs. 33 hits)
The Blues won more faceoffs than the Jets (57.4% vs 42.6%)
The Blues had a higher power play success rate than the Jets (66.7 PP% vs. 25 PP%)
SUMMARY: Overall, despite the Blues playing a more physical game and finding more success with their faceoff wins and power play opportunities, the Jets were able to win this game by maintaining puck control throughout this game.
Upcoming Games
GAME 2
When: April 21, 2025 at 4:30 PM PST
Where: Canada Life Centre
Watch: CBC, TVAS 2, ESPN 2
GAME 3
When: April 24, 2025 at 6:30 PM PST
Where: Enterprise Center
Watch: ESPN 2, SN CBC, TVAS
GAME 4
When: April 27, 2025 at 10:00 AM PST
Where: Enterprise Center
Watch: TBS, truTV, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS
NOTE: Games 5-7 are TBD for each team as they will be scheduled if necessary
The Winnipeg Jets lead 1-0 in round one of the playoffs against the St. Louis Blues
Who do you think is going to win Game 2?
Comment down below!
Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche (GAME 1)
The Colorado Avalanche won Game 1 in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Dallas Stars. This game took place at American Airlines Center and ended with a 4-1 final score. Read about what led to the Avs’ win, the standout players of each team, stats and when their next game is scheduled!
Game Recap
The goaltending from Stars’ #29 Jake Oettinger and Avs’ #39 Mackenzie Blackwood remained solid during the first period as they did not let any goals slip past them. This made both teams go into the second period with a 0-0 standstill. Despite having multiple power play opportunities, both teams’ penalty kills were unfazed and remained at a 100% success rate as no one was able to capitalize on their man-advantages.
The Avs struck first and got on the board after #62 Artturi Lehkonen scored a goal ten minutes and thirty seconds into the second period. This goal was initially under review due to it being put into the back of the net after it had ricocheted off the skate of #62 Lehkonen as he fell onto the ice. Although controversial, the officials called it a good goal as it was determined that there was not an intentional and distinct kicking motion that swept the puck into the net. About five and a half minutes after #62 Lehkonen’s goal, the Avs found themselves on a four minute power play when #24 Roope Hintz from the Stars high sticked and drew blood from #29 Nathan MacKinnon. After drawing the penalty, #29 MacKinnon scored the power play goal two minutes and twenty-four seconds into the power play and made it a 2-0 game in the Avs' favor. Even after the Avs’ power play expired, the Stars were unable to answer back to either goals that were scored during the second period.
The Stars were given a two-minute power play after #42 Josh Manson received an interference penalty a little over five minutes into a scoreless third period. A few seconds after Avs’ goaltender, #39 Mackenzie Blackwood’s stick got lodged into the netting of the net, #24 Hintz successfully scored on the man-advantage and made it a one-goal game (2-1). #42 Mason made up for his time in the box as he assisted #7 Devon Towes’ goal which extended the Avs’ lead twelve minutes and fifty-six seconds into the period (3-1). The Stars pulled their goaltender, #29 Oettinger, with a little over 3 mins left in the period to have an extra player on the ice. However, this decision did not work in their favor as #29 MacKinnon took advantage of the empty net and made it a 4-1 game. Nine seconds after #29 MacKinnon’s goal, #10 Charlie Coyle extended the Avs lead by four-goals. After striking first and maintaining their momentum, the Avs won Game 1 of the series with a final score of 5-1.
Standout Players
Colorado Avalanche
Forwards: #29 Nathan MacKinnon scored two goals and assisted one goal during this game. #25 Logan O’Connor assisted two goals during this game
Defensemen: #7 Devon Towes scored one goal during this game
Goaltender: #39 Mackenzie Blackwood had a save percentage of 0.958% after he had saved 23 out of 24 shots on goal
Dallas Stars
Stats
Both the Stars and Avs ended with 24 shots on goal
The Avs delivered more hits than the Stars (30 hits vs. 18 hits)
The Avs had a slightly higher face off win success rate compared to the Stars (50.8% vs. 49.2%)
The Stars found more success on their power play compared to the Avs (33.3 PP% vs. 25.0 PP%)
SUMMARY: The Avs played a more physical game compared to the Stars as seen by the number of hits they delivered while the Stars found more success on the power play. Overall, this first postseason game between the Avs and the Stars was relatively even as they both ended with the same amount of shots and a very similar faceoff win success rate.
Upcoming Games
GAME 2
When: April 21, 2025 at 6:30 PM PST
Where: American Airlines Center
Watch: ESPN, SN360, TVAS-D
GAME 3
When: April 23, 2025 at 6:30 PM PST
Where: Ball Arena
Watch: ESPN, SN360, TVAS-D
GAME 4
When: April 26, 2025 at 6:30 PM PST
Where: Ball Arena
Watch: ESPN, SN360, TVAS-D
NOTE: Games 5-7 are TBD for each team as they will be scheduled if necessary
The Colorado Avalanche lead 1-0 in round one of the playoffs against the Dallas Stars
Who do you think is going to win Game 2?
Comment down below!
Come back for more game recaps about round one of the Western Conference matchups!
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