In Winnipeg, the Jets were heart broken again as the St Louis Blues’ Ryan O’Reilly struck for the game-winner to send the Jets to an 0-2 series hole.
The goal came at 3:46 of the third.
“It’s obviously a great pass by [defenseman Jay Bouwmeester], kind of put me in there in a good spot, and I’m just trying to get through on to the net,” O’Reilly said. “It was obviously a big play that was nice to have.”
Jordan Binnington, who was touched up for three goals, made 26 saves to get the win.
“I don’t think we’re frustrated,” Winnipeg forward Adam Lowry said. “I think for the most part we’ve played two pretty solid games. It comes down to a couple breaks. We miss a chance, they go down and tie the game 2-2 instead of it going to 3-1. We get a couple chances late there, they get a couple blocks and some big saves. I feel like we’re right here.”
Blake Wheeler, Patrik Laine and Mark Scheifele scored for Winnipeg.
“I think we find a way to have a little response, whether it’s bumping our physical play or a couple shifts of possession shifts down low,” O’Reilly said. “We do a good job of kind of rallying and come together as a team and getting through together, and you have to do it against this team because they’re obviously so skilled and they’re good. We have to do those things.”
Oskar Sundqvist struck twice for the Blues.
“I’ve been playing with great players all year and pucks have been going in for me,” Sundqvist said. “Same way today too; the puck’s going in and it’s giving me a lot of confidence. It’s been a good start for [the Stanley Cup Playoffs] for me.
Pat Maroon also scored for St Louis who head home for Game 3 on Sunday.
“They are going to give us their best game, Game 3 at home. And there’s no reason to get too high. You’ve got to stay ready and you gotta play even better than we’ve played,” Blues head coach Craig Berube said of Game 3 match up.
[WATCH: Blues vs. Jets Game 2 highlights | Complete series coverage]
Connor Hellebuyck made 28 saves in the loss.
“If your recipe is that your goaltender is going to have to be the best player on your team, you’re not going to spend … it won’t be a long playoffs,” Jets head coach Paul Maurice said after the loss. “You’ve got to have some nights where you either give him run support or block enough shots or play tight enough that on a maybe an off night, it’s three and two instead of four.”
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