The Stanley Cup playoffs have reached a critical juncture as the Presidents` Trophy-winning Winnipeg Jets are set to host the St. Louis Blues in the 200th Game 7 in league history.
This winner-take-all matchup means one team will advance to the second round, while the other will head home for the offseason, left to contemplate what went wrong.
For the St. Louis Blues, this marks their 19th appearance in a Game 7, more than any other non-Original Six franchise. They hold a 10-8 record in such games, with their most recent Game 7 victory securing the 2019 Stanley Cup Final against the Boston Bruins.
In contrast, this current iteration of the Winnipeg Jets has limited Game 7 experience, with their only prior appearance being a second-round win over the Nashville Predators in 2018.
Who is favored to win this decisive game? We asked our panel of hockey experts to identify the key players to watch and provide their final score predictions for the crucial contest.
Who is the one key player you`ll be watching in Jets-Blues?
Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporter: If he is able to play, the player to watch is Mark Scheifele. Following a hit in Game 5, there was significant discussion about the physical nature of this series. Scheifele`s performance throughout the season and the early parts of this series highlighted his importance as a top-line center. His absence during the final two periods of Game 5 demonstrated the challenge for the Jets, while Game 6 showed the necessity of contributions from the entire team if he isn`t in the lineup. Scheifele skated Saturday in a tracksuit and his status for Sunday is a game-time decision.
Arda Öcal, NHL broadcaster: Connor Hellebuyck is the obvious choice. He has displayed starkly different levels of play, performing exceptionally well at home (particularly in Game 2) compared to his road games. Hellebuyck has conceded four or more goals in seven consecutive road playoff games, which ties the second-longest streak in Stanley Cup playoff history. However, Game 7 is on home ice, under pressure but in familiar surroundings amidst a `Whiteout` atmosphere. The key question is, which version of Hellebuyck will appear Sunday night?
Kristen Shilton, NHL reporter: Naturally, Connor Hellebuyck. Has there been such a dramatic Jekyll and Hyde performance in recent memory? The Vezina Trophy finalist is capable of being brilliant at home but struggling significantly on the road. Will this pattern continue in Game 7? Which goaltender will show up for this high-stakes game? As an additional player to consider, I would add Pavel Buchnevich. He has been a driving force behind the Blues` offense, and if Hellebuyck is playing at his best, St. Louis will need Buchnevich to replicate the energy and scoring touch he showed in Game 3 to pull off a stunning road victory.
Greg Wyshynski, NHL reporter: Jordan Binnington recently reaffirmed his reputation as a clutch goaltender with his 31-save performance, including six in overtime, during Team Canada`s victory over the U.S. in the 4 Nations Face-Off championship. He initially earned this recognition in 2019 by backstopping the Blues to the Stanley Cup with Game 7 wins against Dallas and Boston. Now, he has another opportunity to demonstrate that capability. Binnington had an outstanding 0.82 goals-against average and a .968 save percentage in those previous Game 7s. While Hellebuyck has struggled notably in St. Louis, Binnington hasn`t been much better in Winnipeg, with an .861 save percentage and a 3.44 goals-against average, allowing four goals in two of the three games there. However, as the 4 Nations tournament indicated, Binnington can rise to the occasion. (Though this time, Kyle Connor will actually be playing for the opposition, unlike in that specific tournament.)
The final score will be _____.
Clark: 4-3 Jets. Several patterns have defined this series. Firstly, scoring hasn`t been an issue, with the teams combining for over six goals in all but one game. Secondly, the home team has won every contest. I predict this trend will continue, allowing the Jets to advance.
Öcal: 6-5 Jets. I anticipate Hellebuyck won`t have his best outing, but the Jets` offense will overcome this challenge. I foresee Kyle Connor scoring another crucial third-period goal in this series to secure the victory.
Shilton: 5-4 Jets. The Jets have been too dominant on their home ice to let this opportunity slip away. While a St. Louis win wouldn`t be entirely surprising, even if Hellebuyck isn`t perfect, Winnipeg`s offensive firepower should provide enough support for the Jets to narrowly clinch the win and advance.
Wyshynski: 5-3 Jets. If this game were being played in St. Louis, the Jets would likely be finished, given Hellebuyck`s documented struggles on the road in the playoffs. He`s slightly below replacement level at home in the postseason, but Winnipeg will accept that performance considering his three times being pulled from road games. The Blues rank first in the playoffs for 5-on-5 offense and goals-for percentage at home. However, Winnipeg is second in both these categories at home. I expect Hellebuyck to settle in, and the offense will elevate its game at home, especially now that Nikolaj Ehlers has played a game after his foot injury layoff since April 12.
