The Presidents` Trophy-winning Winnipeg Jets are set to host the St. Louis Blues at Canada Life Centre on Sunday in a winner-take-all Game 7 of their first-round series. The stakes are high, as the victor will advance to face the Dallas Stars in the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. This series has been defined by home-ice advantage, with the home team winning each of the first six games. The Blues successfully forced this decisive contest with a 5-2 triumph on home ice at Enterprise Center on Friday.
In Game 6, Alexey Toropchenko and defenseman Philip Broberg were key contributors for the Blues, each recording a goal and an assist. Their offensive output led to Vezina Trophy finalist Connor Hellebuyck being replaced in net for the third time in the series. The 31-year-old Hellebuyck, who earned his second Vezina last season, faced difficulties on the road, conceding at least five goals in each of the three games played in St. Louis. In contrast, he allowed a total of just seven goals across the Jets` three home games.
Looking at Game 7 history, the St. Louis Blues have an all-time record of 5-6 in such games but are currently on a streak of four consecutive Game 7 victories, dating back to the first round of the 2016 postseason against the Chicago Blackhawks. Winnipeg, which will be without Mark Scheifele (undisclosed) for the second game in a row, has limited Game 7 experience as a franchise, having won their only previous appearance 5-1 on the road against the Nashville Predators in the second round in 2018.
With the series coming down to a single game, here are some player prop bets that could offer value for Sunday`s showdown.
Best Bets
Kyle Connor, Jets – anytime goal scorer (+155, bet365)
Kyle Connor, who led the Jets with 41 goals in the regular season and reached the 40-goal mark for the second time in his career, has demonstrated strong offensive form throughout the playoffs. The 28-year-old left winger has scored in four of the six games played in this series and is currently tied for sixth in goals across the NHL postseason. His recent playoff scoring history is also favorable, with goals in five of his last seven playoff contests dating back to last year`s first-round series.
Pavel Buchnevich, Blues – 1+ assist (+168, FanDuel)
Pavel Buchnevich did not register a point in the last two games, but he was a significant offensive factor in the first four games of the series. The 30-year-old Russian left winger recorded his first career postseason hat trick in Game 3 and began these playoffs with an impressive four-game assist streak. Considering his performance from last year`s playoffs, where he registered at least one assist in eight out of nine games before his current drought, it`s certainly possible he will contribute offensively by setting up a goal on Sunday.
Cam Fowler, Blues – 1+ assist (+142, FanDuel)
Veteran defenseman Cam Fowler entered this series with a history of offensive contribution in the playoffs, having accumulated 27 assists in 62 career postseason games. Against Winnipeg, the 33-year-old has been particularly effective, registering eight assists over the first six games. This tally places him just one assist behind Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid for the lead in postseason assists. Fowler managed at least one assist in each of the first five games of the series, including all three games played at Canada Life Centre, and has recorded 15 assists in his last 19 playoff appearances.
