The Blues will host the Jets in Game 6 tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET. It is a must-win game for St. Louis, which is a -120 Moneyline favorite at home on DraftKings Sportsbook. The game total is set at O/U 5.5 goals and Connor Hellebuyck vs. Jordan Binnington is the expected goaltender matchup.
See below for my preview and prediction for tonight’s Game 6 matchup between the Blues and Jets.
Blues vs. Jets Game 6 preview, prediction
Home-ice advantage has been the most important factor in this series. Neither team has lost at home and St. Louis is looking to force a Game 7. Mark Scheifele did not travel with the team to St. Louis for Game 6 after leaving Game 5 in the first period after taking a big hit, which will be a huge blow for Winnipeg.
Let’s talk about the big issue––Hart and Vezina Trophy candidate, Connor Hellebuyck. To put it simply, he has been the worst goaltender this postseason in terms of goals saved above expected, and he has been even worse at Enterprise Center. Hellebuyck was pulled in Games 3 and 4, allowing 11 goals on just 43 shots. His annual postseason struggles have returned and the Blues’ high-flying offense that ranks sixth in 5v5 goal percentage and first in goals above expected this postseason isn’t going to make tonight an easy one. Even in the Game 5 win in Winnipeg, he looked off, allowing three goals on just 19 shots.
Winnipeg has lost its touch on the power play and ranks 11th among postseason teams in 5v5 goal percentage. Kyle Connor has four goals and eight points this series, but he will need help from his teammates, especially without Scheifele. Hellebuyck must show up and stop allowing soft goals or this series will be heading back to Winnipeg for Game 7. While I don’t fully trust Binnington, he has clearly been the better goaltender this series and has played much better in home games all season.
Blues vs. Jets Game 6 pick, best bet
The Blues have not lost at Enterprise Center since Feb. 22, which was a shootout loss to the Jets. They outscored the Jets, 12-to-3, in both games this series and will take advantage of the absence of Scheifele. Four of the five games this series have gone over 5.5 goals and I’m expecting that trend to continue tonight in Game 6 thanks to another Blues’ scoring explosion in front of the home crowd. -120 odds on the Moneyline is more than enough for me but I’m leaning towards St. Louis winning in regulation instead at +130 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. Winnipeg will struggle without Scheifele, a primary playmaker, and Hellebuyck’s postseason track record is ugly.
