In Winnipeg, the St Louis Blues’ Jaden Schwartz deflected an aerial pass from Tyler Bozak off the right boards into the net for a 3-2 lead for the Blues over the Jets with just 15 seconds left in the game on Thursday night.
The lead held and the Blues head home with a 3-2 series lead.
“We’re just staying with it,” Schwartz said. “We believe in each other, we believe in the system, and we work as a team. When the team has success, we know that we all get rewarded. We’re all playing the same, we’re working hard, we’re tight defensively, and the power play had a big goal to give us momentum. This whole series is so tight. You just never know right now with the bounces that are happening.”
Jordan Binnington made 29 saves to get the win.
“That’s important, right? My job is to give the team a chance to win,” Binnington said. “Obviously, [Winnipeg] got out to an early lead, and I kind of had to shut the door from there on out. It wasn’t easy, and the boys really helped me out and battled. The penalty kill was outstanding, and it was a great team effort for pretty much 60 minutes.”
Adam Lowry and Kevin Hayes had the Jets’ goals when they built a 2-0 lead.
“No different than being down 0-2,” Jets captain Blake Wheeler said. “Happens all the time, man. Gotta win a hockey game. Won almost a hundred of them the last two years, so we’re confident we can do that.”
The Blues rallied back on three straight strikes with Ryan O’Reilly and Brayden Schenn tying the game before Schwartz’s heroics.
“If we lose, we’re done,” Hayes said. “That’s enough motivation. Game 6 will be our best game.”
Game 6 is set for Saturday in St Louis.
[WATCH: Blues vs. Jets Game 5 highlights | Complete series coverage]
Connor Hellebuyck made 26 saves in the loss.
“Lucky pinballs,” Hellebuyck said of Schwartz’s goal. “The puck just bounced and ended up right on their tape. Tough to eat that one, but I thought we were the better team. If we keep fighting here, it’s not over.”
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