Winnipeg Jets regain control of 1st-round series with 5-3 win at home over St. Louis Blues

Kyle Connor had a goal and two assists to propel the Winnipeg Jets to a 5-3 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday that earned them a 3-2 lead in their opening-round playoff series.

Game 6 of the Western Conference best-of-seven battle goes Friday in St. Louis, where the Blues won the two previous games while extending their home record to 14 consecutive victories.

According to the NHL, teams that take a 3-2 lead in a series go on to win the series 79 per cent of the time (233-62).

The Presidents' Trophy-winning Jets were without star centre Mark Scheifele after the first period. He was crushed into the boards by Blues captain Brayden Schenn early in the opening period.

Vladislav Namestnikov, who replaced Scheifele on the top line, recorded a goal and assist. Nino Niederreiter also had a goal and assist. Dylan DeMelo and Adam Lowry, into an empty net, also scored. Mason Appleton contributed three helpers in front of the whiteout crowd at Canada Life Centre.

Connor Hellebuyck made 16 saves for Winnipeg, which had top-line winger Gabriel Vilardi back in action after he missed 15 games with an upper-body injury.

Nathan Walker scored twice and rookie Jimmy Snuggerud also had a goal for the Blues. Jordan Binnington stopped 21 shots.

Winnipeg led 2-1 after the first period and 4-2 following the second.

After being outscored 12-3 in two losses in St. Louis, the Jets jumped out to a 1-0 lead 1:23 into the first period.

Scheifele sent the puck from behind the net out to Connor, who snapped it past Binnington.

The Blues quickly responded when Walker stayed in front of Hellebuyck and tipped in a point shot from Colton Parayko at 3:42.

St. Louis defenceman Cam Fowler also picked up an assist, extending his point streak to