Prediction: Winnipeg Jets VS St Louis Blues 2025-12-17
Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues: A Tale of Goaltending, Injuries, and Hope
The Winnipeg Jets, armed with the return of elite goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (think “I’m back, and I’m bringing a net made of Swiss cheese”), take on the St. Louis Blues in a Western Conference clash that’s equal parts hockey and chaos. Let’s break it down with the precision of a Zamboni and the humor of a penguin in a blizzard.
Parse the Odds: Who’s the Real Favorite?
The Jets (-144) are the chalk here, implying a 59.3% implied probability of victory. For the Blues (+120), their 45.5% implied chance feels like a mathematical kindness, given their current state. The spread (Blues +1.5) and over/under (5.5 goals) suggest a high-scoring, nail-biting affair. Historically, these teams have combined for over 5.5 goals in 37 of 66 games this season—enough to fill a hot tub with pucks.
Key stats:
- Jets: 16th in goals scored (3.0/g), 16th in goals allowed (3.1/g). Hellebuyck’s .915 save percentage is a beacon of light in a defensive swamp.
- Blues: 29th in goals scored (2.5/g), 32nd in goals allowed (3.6/g). Their defense is like a sieve that’s been dropped in a sieve factory.
Digest the News: Injuries, Prospects, and a Goalie in Peril
The Jets have their star goalie back, but their defense? Still a work in progress. Coach Scott Arniel’s “poor execution” comments after a loss to Ottawa read like a Yelp review for a team that “didn’t show up, left the door unlocked, and then got robbed.” Defenseman Neal Pionk’s admission of “lack of consistent effort” is the hockey equivalent of a student writing “I forgot to study” on a failed exam.
The Blues, meanwhile, are playing with the roster of a Little League team that lost its mitts. Four key forwards (Kyrou, Snuggerud, Walker, Holloway) are out, forcing coach Jim Montgomery to promote prospects Dalibor Dvorsky and Otto Stenberg. Dvorsky’s two-goal performance in a loss to Nashville is like a rookie bringing a flamethrower to a water fight—impressive, but not exactly a win.
And then there’s Jordan Binnington, the Blues’ goalie, who’s posting a 5.63 GAA and .807 save percentage this month. It’s the hockey version of “I’ll handle it!” followed by a YouTube tutorial on how to properly dodge a puck.
Humorous Spin: Pucks, Puns, and Peril
- The Jets’ defense? It’s so porous, Hellebuyck might need a snorkel.
- The Blues’ forwards are out, but their prospects are in—like sending a group of wide-eyed deer into a lion’s den. Dvorsky’s “shot-first” mentality is less Hawkeye and more Hawkeye after a 12-hour bender.
- The over/under of 5.5 goals? With these teams, it’s like betting on a toddler’s birthday party—chaos is guaranteed.
Prediction: The Underdog’s Last Laugh
Despite the Jets’ superior goaltending and favorable odds, the Blues’ injuries and Binnington’s struggles paint a picture of hockey’s version of a sinking ship. But here’s the twist: The Blues’ recent 75% points percentage in their last 10 games (compared to the Jets’ 55%) suggests they’re the hungrier, more consistent team right now. Plus, with the Jets’ defense playing like a group of sleepwalkers, the Blues’ aggressive prospects might capitalize on mistakes.
Final Score Prediction: Blues 4, Jets 3.
Why? The Jets’ offense isn’t elite (3.0/g), and their defense is a sieve. The Blues, despite their injuries, have enough spark in Dvorsky and a puck-lucky Binnington to pull off the upset. Take the Blues (+120)—it’s the hockey equivalent of betting on a squirrel to outmaneuver a bear in a nut race.
Final Verdict: Bet the Blues to cover the +1.5 spread and the Over 5.5 goals. After all, when these teams play, the only thing more certain than scoring is the chaos.
Created: Dec. 17, 2025, 7:55 a.m. GMT