The St. Louis Blues really showed up on Thursday night. After dropping the first two games in Winnipeg, they came home and smashed the Jets 7–2 in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Sure, they’re still down in the series 2–1, but this win was a clear message — the Blues aren’t giving up anytime soon. The team looked confident and energized in front of their fans, and it felt like the kind of game that could change how this series goes.
Buchnevich’s Hat Trick Lights Up the Game
Pavel Buchnevich was the main guy tonight, no doubt. He scored three goals—his first playoff hat trick ever—and even added an assist. What really stood out was how quickly he got going, scoring two goals in the first three minutes, including one on a power play. That early burst seemed to shake the Jets and fired up the whole Blues squad. Buchnevich’s speed, smart plays, and sharp shots kept the momentum on St. Louis’s side all night. It was like watching someone finally find their playoff groove, and it gave the Blues the boost they desperately needed after a shaky start to the series.
Team Effort Behind the Big Win
It wasn’t just Buchnevich doing all the work. Cam Fowler had a fantastic night too, with one goal and four assists. He was everywhere, especially helping out on the power play and moving the puck fast. Other players like Jordan Kyrou, Alexey Toropchenko, and Colton Parayko each scored as well. Robert Thomas also helped out by setting up three goals. The Blues looked like a team clicking on all cylinders — good passing, quick skating, and strong pressure that made it hard for the Jets to get out of their zone. For once, the offense was smooth and sharp, giving St. Louis the edge they needed.
Jets Struggled Big Time
The Jets didn’t look like the same team that won the first two games. Their star goalie, Connor Hellebuyck, who’s usually solid all season, had a tough night. He let in six goals on 25 shots before getting pulled in the second period. Eric Comrie came in as backup, but the damage was already done. Defensively, the Jets were kind of all over the place — not clearing rebounds properly and letting the Blues set up dangerous plays across the ice. They did score twice, with goals from David Gustafsson and Neal Pionk, but honestly, they never really controlled the pace or got comfortable on the ice.
What This Means for the Series
This win could be a real turning point for the Blues. After losing two in a row on the road, they needed to prove they could fight back—and they definitely did that. Game 4 is coming up Sunday night at home again, and the Blues will have that momentum behind them. If they keep playing like this, the series could get a lot more interesting.
The Jets, on the other hand, have some work to do. Even with the series lead, their defense showed some cracks and they’ll probably have to make some changes, especially around their goalie and how they defend near the net.
Looking Ahead: What to Expect
For the Blues, the goal is simple — keep this energy going and even up the series. With Buchnevich leading the charge and other players stepping up, they’ve put themselves right back in the fight. The Jets will want to fix what went wrong and come back stronger, but the Blues just reminded everyone they can’t be counted out.
As we get ready for Game 4, it’s clear this series is heating up. Both teams are fighting hard, and it should be a great matchup. The big question now is: can the Blues tie things up, or will the Jets pull through and move closer to the next round? Either way, it’s going to be exciting to watch.
