WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Jets faced a gut punch in Game 5 of their Western Conference First Round clash against the St. Louis Blues on April 30, 2025, when their star center Mark Scheifele failed to return for the second period. But instead of folding, the Jets dug deep, leaned on every name on the roster, and clawed out a 5-3 victory at Canada Life Centre, seizing a 3-2 series lead in a contest that had the whiteout crowd roaring.
Scheifele, a cornerstone of Winnipeg’s attack, took a bruising hit from Blues captain Brayden Schenn along the boards just over six minutes into the first period. He skated off under his own power but didn’t return, leaving a gaping hole in the Jets’ lineup. The team didn’t flinch. By the time the second period rolled around, Winnipeg flipped the script, turning a tied game into a commanding performance that showcased their depth and grit.
Vladislav Namestnikov stepped into the spotlight, netting his first goal and assist of the playoffs. His tally in the second period, a sharp wrister that beat Blues netminder Jordan Binnington, sparked a three-goal outburst that swung momentum firmly in Winnipeg’s favor. Kyle Connor and Josh Morrissey chipped in with goals of their own, while Dylan DeMelo’s third-period marker helped seal the deal. Even when St. Louis rookie Zack Snuggerud snuck a soft shot past Connor Hellebuyck to tie the game briefly, the Jets didn’t waver. They peppered Binnington with 32 shots, outmuscling a Blues squad that had surged into the postseason as one of the league’s hottest teams.
The Jets’ penalty kill, a sore spot in their road losses in Games 3 and 4, stood tall, neutralizing all three of St. Louis’ power plays. Hellebuyck, despite the one hiccup, stopped 29 shots, including a sprawling glove save on Jake Neighbours late in the third that preserved Winnipeg’s lead. Every line contributed, from the fourth-line grinders winning puck battles to the top-six forwards buzzing around Binnington’s crease.
Coach Scott Arniel, speaking after the game, remained tight-lipped about Scheifele’s status, saying only that the team would evaluate him on May 1 before deciding if he’d travel to St. Louis for Game 6. The Jets, now one win away from advancing, face the Blues at Enterprise Center on May 2, where a victory would end the series and send Winnipeg to the second round.
This series, a bruising battle between the NHL’s best regular-season team and a Blues club that caught fire late, has seen the home team win every game. Game 5 was no exception, with Winnipeg feeding off the energy of a sold-out crowd decked in white. The physical toll has been evident—Scheifele’s absence underscores a series where big hits have defined the pace, with referees letting the teams hammer away in what’s become a punishing, old-school playoff grind.
As the Jets prepare for Game 6, their ability to rally without their top center has shifted the narrative. On April 30, they proved they’re more than a one-man show, with every player stepping up to keep their season alive. The series now sits at 3-2 in Winnipeg’s favor, with Game 6 set for May 2 in St. Louis.