Pavel Buchnevich recorded a hat trick and added an assist, yet did not receive the game’s first star. Who could have topped that? Cam Fowler did. The defenceman added a goal and four assists to break the St. Louis Blues record for most points by a defenceman in a playoff game. Most importantly, the Blues won Game 3 over the Winnipeg Jets to get back into the series.
Blues Win Game 3
What a night. #stlblues pic.twitter.com/SiMEYwGW0k
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) April 25, 2025
After dropping the first two games of the series in Winnipeg , the Blue Note entered Game 3 needing a win to get back in the series. The team got off to a fast start with two quick goals by Buchnevich, with one coming on the power play. A Fowler goal late in the period gave the Blues a 3-0 lead after 20 minutes. The team’s penalty kill and goalie Jordan Binnington shined in a scoreless second period before the Blues blew the game open in the third.
After the Jets scored to make it 3-1, Buchnevich scored to complete the hat trick after Robert Thomas stole the puck from Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck behind the net. Jordan Kyrou added another power-play goal to make it 5-1. After Alexey Toropchenko and Neal Pionk traded goals, Colton Parayko capped off the scoring with the Blues third power-play goal of the game.
The Jets, however, still lead the series 2-1. Game 4 will be played on Sunday afternoon in St. Louis. The home team has won every game so far, so it is quite possible this series will come down to who can win a game on the road.
Before we get to the pivotal Game 4, let’s recap the key moments from the first three games of the series.
Games 1-3 Recap
Special Teams
It has been a tale of two special teams to open the series. The Blues have scored six power-play goals on 15 attempts. Furthermore, they have scored at least one power-play goal in every game of the series. Jimmy Snuggerud , playing in his first playoff series, has played well on the power play. The Blues have seen success from their usual contributors on the power play. Thomas, Kyrou, and Buchnevich have a combined four power-play goals in the first three games.
The Jets, meanwhile, have two power-play goals on 10 attempts. In the regular season, the Jets were one of the best power-play teams in the NHL. However, injuries to Nikolaj Ehlers and Gabriel Vilardi have derailed the team’s success on the power play. Vilardi did travel with the Jets to St. Louis. While he did not play in Game 3, he could suit up for Game 4, significantly boosting the Jets offence.
5-on-5
While the Blues are winning the special teams battle, the 5-on-5 battle has been different. The Blues have scored five 5-on-5 goals, while the Jets have scored six. While that is a huge difference, it is worth noting the Blues entered Game 3 with just one 5-on-5 goal, while the Jets had five.
The Blues found their footing 5-on-5 in Game 3, which helped them climb back into the series. In addition, the Blues had their first full 60-minute effort in Game 3. Moving forward in the series, it will be interesting to see how each team does on 5-on-5. The team that wins that battle may very well win the series.
Hits, Hits, and More Hits
This is a series between two teams from the Central Division. It should be expected that they do not like each other. That has translated into the physicality of the series. The Blues outhit the Jets in Game 1 , 53-33. In Game 2 , there were fewer hits, but the Jets outhit the Blues 33-29. Then we have Game 3. We may not have seen this much bruising since the banana crate gave out at the local farmer’s market. Both teams recorded over 60 hits, with the Jets outhitting the Blues 68-63.
We can expect to see the hits continue in Game 4. Both teams have incorporated physical play into their game plan. The Jets want to instigate fisticuffs with young Blues players like Snuggerud, Jake Neighbours , and Zachary Bolduc to draw a retaliatory penalty. The Blues, meanwhile, seem to be hitting anything that moves. Tyler Tucker remained in the Blues lineup for Game 3, even taking the spot of veteran Ryan Suter . Tucker recorded six hits.
Game 4 Awaits
We did not expect this series to only last four games. The Blues victory ensures the series will shift back to Winnipeg for a Game 5 next week.
In Game 4, the Blues will look to continue their success and even the series. The Jets will look to be the first road team to win a game in the series. In doing so, they would return home with a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Game 4 will be played on Sunday at 1:00 P.M. EST. Please check in on Sunday for our prediction.
Main Photo: Jeff Curry- Imagn Images
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