Jets Aim to Regroup Against Confident Blues in Game 4

ST. LOUIS — The Winnipeg Jets are looking to bounce back after a frustrating loss as they face the St. Louis Blues in Game 4 of the Western Conference First Round at Enterprise Center on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

The Jets currently hold a 2-1 lead in the best-of-7 series but were overwhelmed in Game 3, suffering a 7-2 defeat to the Blues. The team fell behind early, trailing 2-0 just over three minutes into the first period.

Jets center Adam Lowry noted that execution and speed are crucial for their rebound. “There are things they did really well that limited our ability to get to our transition, to get to our forecheck,” Lowry said. “We need to try and get to our game quicker than they do.”

The Blues, on the other hand, are riding high on confidence following their dominant performance in Game 3. Coach Jim Montgomery emphasized the importance of maintaining their identity and being aggressive on both ends of the ice. “It’s important for us to stay true to who we are,” said Montgomery.

Historical data shows that teams leading 3-1 in a best-of-7 playoff series win 91 percent of the time. However, the Blues have a tough road ahead, with a 8-20 record when trailing 2-1 in playoff series.

Despite the setback, Lowry believes in the Jets’ resilience and experience in high-stakes situations. “We don’t have a record like we do without being able to bounce back,” he said.

The Jets’ front line will face a challenge from a powerful Blues top line, which has seen major contributions from Pavel Buchnevich, Robert Thomas, and Jimmy Snuggerud. Buchnevich had a hat trick in Game 3, leading the charge for St. Louis.

As both teams prepare for Game 4, players from both sides are aware of the stakes. “We need to bring the confidence from Game 3 into this one,” said Sundqvist of the Blues. Meanwhile, Jets forward Morgan Barron acknowledged the challenge of playing in St. Louis, asserting, “It is a great challenge and a tough building to play in.”

Game 4 is essential, not only for the series but for both teams’ momentum as they aim for the next step in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.