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“They’re going to come hard, that's their M.O.,� Josh Morrissey told reporters. “They're aggressive on the forecheck, and they play an aggressive game, so that's where we have to do a better job of executing with the puck to move it past that aggressiveness that we didn't handle well in that first period.� 

No, they did not.

Winnipeg fell behind 2-0 in the first 3:11 of the game on two Pavel Buchnevich goals.

The Jets trailed 3-0 after one period. The Blues landed 30 hits on them with Brayden Schenn leading the charge against Mark Scheifele’s line.

The Jets had to make do without key defenseman Dylan DeMelo, who averaged 20:20 in the first two games before becoming ill. Winnipeg still missed injured top 6 wingers Gabriel Vilardi, who traveled to the STL, and Nikolai Ehlers, who stayed home.

But still . . .  after the Blues jumped them, the Jets looked nothing like their usual selves.

“We lost the game in the first period," Jets coach Scott Arniel said. “They scored two goals in the first three minutes, got on our heels, crowd got behind them. We were terrible in the first period. It was over in the first.

“Heck a play by Buchnevich, kicking it, knocking it out of the air to get it started (48) seconds into the game, obviously lighting up the building even more. We’re down 2-0 4 minutes in, we’re chasing the game from that point.�

The Jets stabilized in the second period and briefly threatened to pull back into the game.

“We kind of gave ourselves a chance, got going,� Arniel said. “There were parts of the second period there where we had lots of (offensive) zone time. We had an opportunity to be in there.

“We ended up with one or two scoring chances, we didn’t get bodies there. We had some point-blank looks, missed the net. Just a lot of tendencies that really isn’t our hockey game.�

Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington snatched a goal from Cole Perfetti midway through the period, or did he? Tipsheet is guessing that was a goal after looking at one replay review that showed Binnignton’s glove extending behind the post.

“I saw his glove in the net,� Perfetti told reporters. “Obviously, he made a great save, but I was on the goal line and I saw his glove in the net and the puck on the mesh of the glove. And you see it pretty evidently in the video, I think.�

After a lengthy review, though. the officials weren’t 100 percent sure the puck got over the goal line, so there was no goal.

Winnipeg finally broke through to score in the third period, Thomas forechecked Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck behind the net, Buchnevich tucked the loose puck into the goal to complete the hat trick, making it 4-1, hats rained on the ice during a prolonged shower, and was that.

The Jets kept acting out, taking cheap-shot penalties, and the Blues kept making them pay while wrapping up a 7-2 victory that reward Blues fans for staying up late.

Arniel expects Hellebuyck and the rest of the Jets to flush the lopsided loss and move on.

“It's one game,� he said “We lost one game. Whether it's 7-2 or 1-0, we lost one game in this series.�

Here is what folks have been writing about the playoffs:

Barry Petchesky, The Defector: “I'd rather gaze directly upon the opening of the Ark of the Covenant than spend too much time looking at Stuart Skinner's horrid numbers in the early (but getting late fast) postseason going. The Oilers goalie has allowed 11 goals on just 58 shots over, functionally, five and a half periods, surrendering six to the Kings in a wild Game 1 and five Wednesday night before being yanked for Calvin Pickard. Pickard promptly allowed a goal on the first shot he faced, which, if it was a salve to Skinner's wounded pride, was gifted not netminder-to-netminder, but by an Edmonton defense that is playing like it holds a grudge against its own backstop. Pickard will almost surely get the start in a must-have Game 3 back in Edmonton, after the Kings took care of business, 6-2. I am not convinced it will matter.�

Mark Spector, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵnet: “While the rest of the hockey world begins the process of moving on from the Edmonton Oilers, the team cloaks itself in belief — real or perceived. It’s the way our sport works, within the walls of a National Hockey League team full of players who have lived a lifetime of seasons that end in a loss far, far more often than a win. Holding on to belief does not ensure success. That is accepted fact. But losing that belief guarantees you will lose — also a fact. So no matter how bad it looks, a team that looks whipped will believe until there is nothing left to believe in. Edmonton is no different. This is simply how the industry works . . . Look, you and I may not be so bullish on the Oilers’ immediate future, after watching and chronicling the many issues that led to two losses and 12 goals against in Games 1 and 2 of this series. The scent of redemption, of revenge, after three straight losses to Edmonton wafts off the backs of these Kings like garlic from Stawnichy’s Sausage House on 118th ave. There isn’t a franchise or fan base in the NHL that could enjoy this beat-down more than the Kings and their people, after the last three springs.â€�

Jesse Granger, The Athletic: “A decade ago, at the NHL scouting combine in Buffalo, an 18-year-old Mackenzie Blackwood wowed scouts and onlookers with his athleticism. Even as one of the biggest, heaviest athletes in that draft class, Blackwood dazzled with his 118.9-inch standing long jump and his 27.28-inch vertical leap — both incredible figures, especially for a goaltender. Blackwood is still wowing us with his athleticism and explosion. Only now, he’s doing it in the playoffs. The 28-year-old has been stellar for the Colorado Avalanche in his postseason debut, and has made some of the most impressive saves in these playoffs, despite falling behind Dallas 2-1 in the first-round series Wednesday night after a second straight overtime loss.�

Adam Proteau, The Hockey News: “The Devils were outplayed in Game 1, losing to the Hurricanes 4-1. Carolina built a 3-0 lead in Game 1 and was never threatened by New Jersey. In Game 2, the final score of 3-1 for Carolina might cause some to believe the game was more competitive for the Devils. The big picture tells a different tale, as the Hurricanes kept the Devils off the scoresheet for the final 56 minutes in Game 2, and New Jersey’s offense was a complete non-factor after an early goal. The Hurricanes are too fast and deep for the Devils. Although Carolina’s regular-season road record of 16-21-4 suggests New Jersey could win a game at home, the Devils’ home record of 19-17-5 suggests they won’t thrive in their rink. Barring a miracle, the Devils are going home soon.�

Megaphone

“I don't know exactly what was going through my mind and body at that time, but it was pretty special, and that's a memory for life. Simple as that. Avs faithful, they make it special, you know? It's a special place to play, it's a special place to live and raise a family. And obviously the last three years have been difficult at times. And to come back and feel that love, I mean, incredible. So it means a lot.�

Colorado Avalanche star Gabriel Landeskog, on returning to action for the first time since June 26, 2022, after recovering from his knee injury.