2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Winnipeg Jets vs St. Louis Blues pre-game 2 report

The Jets and Blues kicked off the 2025 playoffs on Saturday night as the first game in the entire NHL and it didn’t disappoint with lead changes, big hits, some key saves, plenty of goals and even some end of game fireworks which has everyone eager for the encore in game 2. Winnipeg dominated the latter half of the game over St. Louis and the talk between the two games has been about the adjustments that will be made.

Winnipeg held an optional practice which did see Gabriel Vilardi skating with his teammates for the first time but in a non-contact uniform. He’s been out just a shade under a month when he was injured late in a game against the Sabres. Basically head coach Scott Arniel indicated after skate that until he’s back in a regular uniform there isn’t anything to discuss. One player there is something to talk about is Rasmus Kupari who has similarly been out of the lineup since late March as he dealt with being returned to concussion protocol after missing three weeks due to it. He was skating in a regular uniform and while he’ll need some conditioning, he has been cleared for contact.

Skate news:

No changes for the Jets today at morning skate. The only change for the Blues was they swapped Snuggerud and Neighbours.

Jets lines & D pairs:

Connor-Scheifele-Iafallo
Niederreiter-Namestnikov-Perfetti
Tanev-Lowry-Appleton
Gustafsson-Barron-JAD

Morrissey-DeMelo
Samberg-Pionk
Stanley-Schenn

Hellebuyck

Blues lines and D pairs:

Snuggerud-Thomas-Buchnevich
Neighbours-Schenn-Kyrou
Walker-Sundqvist-Bolduc
Toropchenko-Faksa

Fowler-Parayko
Broberg-Faulk
Suter-Leddy
Tucker

Binnington

Player media:

Coach media:

Topics:
1) Is there consideration to shorten bench due to schedule?
2) Playoff series doesn’t begin until the home team loses (:36)
3) Adapting to playing in front of the Whiteout (1:17)
4) Is it brighter in the arena? (1:59)
5) What is the difference between an average & great off day in preparing? (2:30)
6) Managing energy in advance of puck drop (3:29)
7) Thoughts on Nino Niederreiter since he moved up? (4:26)

Pre-Game Show:

Up Next:

Join us before the game on a Special Playoff Edition Illegal Curve Pre-Game Show starting at 4:30 PM CDT which you can watch on our YouTube channel or join us live at CityPlace (333 St. Mary’s). Puck drop is at 6:30 pm CDT.  Be sure to head over to illegalcurve.com following the game for a recap of the action which includes post-game interviews from Jets players as well as from head coach Scott Arniel. You can also join us afterwards for the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show (be sure to smash that like/subscribe button).

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