WINNIPEG – Bettors backing the Winnipeg Jets on the puck line (+1.5) were grinning ear-to-ear Saturday night, as Kyle Connor’s late laser lifted the Jets to a 5-3 win over the St. Louis Blues, covering both the moneyline and puck line in dramatic fashion.
Trailing 3-2 early in the third, Winnipeg roared back with three unanswered goals, including Connor’s game-winner at 18:24—an odds-swinging moment for bettors who stuck with the Western Conference’s top seed.
Scheifele, who entered the playoffs at +180 for a multipoint game, delivered with a goal and two assists, while Connor hit on his +200 anytime goal scorer prop and likely pushed many parlays across the line.
“This is how we want to start,” Scheifele said postgame. “Connor just keeps showing why he’s one of the most dangerous guys in the league.”
WINNIPEG CASHES FOR BACKERS, TOTAL SAILS OVER
The over/under closed at 5.5 in most markets and cleared easily with eight total goals. A tight-checking series was expected, but Game 1 opened up, particularly in the final frame as Winnipeg’s offense overwhelmed the Blues.
Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck wasn’t overly tested, stopping 14 shots, while Jordan Binnington’s 21 saves couldn’t keep St. Louis from crumbling late. The Blues, priced at +150 underdogs, held leads at multiple points, which offered juicy live betting value on Winnipeg that savvy bettors pounced on.
PLAYER PROP PAYOUTS:
- Connor Anytime Goal: ✅ (+200)
- Scheifele Over 1.5 Points: ✅ (+180)
- Over 5.5 Goals: ✅
- Jets -1.5 Puck Line: ✅ (+150)
- First Period Draw: ❌
- Jordan Kyrou Anytime Goal: ✅ (+240)
LOOKING AHEAD: GAME 2 ODDS SHIFTING
Oddsmakers are already tightening lines for Game 2, with the Jets opening at -160 favorites, down slightly from Game 1 (-170). The total remains steady at 5.5, but expect juice to slide toward the over after both teams showcased firepower and defensive lapses.
St. Louis will need more discipline—penalties and puck management killed them late, a fact bettors should consider if eyeing the Blues for a bounce-back game.
Blues head coach Jim Montgomery admitted, “Our emotions got the best of us. Winnipeg made us pay.”
FINAL THOUGHTS FOR BETTORS:
The Jets showed resilience, offensive depth, and a killer instinct that makes them a solid play going forward in this series. Blues bettors beware—unless St. Louis tightens up defensively and improves puck control, Game 2 could be another tilt where Jets backers cash in.
