The St. Louis Blues came out desperate and firing on all cylinders, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first period and never looking back, beating the Winnipeg Jets 7-2. 

Pavel Buchnevich got the scoring started, scoring back-to-back goals, the first coming within a minute of the puck drop. He kicked the puck up into the air after Connor Hellebuyck turned away the initial shot, but batted it out of the air before it crossed the line.

His second tally came on the power play less than three minutes later, deflecting a neat pass by Robert Thomas in the slot.

Thomas would showcase his playmaking skills once again, setting up Cam Fowler before he sniped his first of the playoffs over Hellebuyck's shoulder. 

The Jets thought they had cut the lead to two goals in the second period, but after a lengthy review, it was determined that Cole Perfetti's attempt did not cross the line. He one-timed the puck, and Jordan Binnington caught it in his glove with little room to spare. 

The Jets finally got their first goal of the game after Jaret Anderson-Dolan used his speed out, beating his man out wide before finding David Gustafsson wide open in front of the net. 

The thoughts of a comeback were short-lived after Hellebuyck made a terrible error, leading to Buchnevich's hat-trick goal. On a five-on-three, Jordan Kyrou extended the lead to 4-1, recording his second goal of the playoffs. The onslaught continued after Luke Schenn's turnover resulted in an Alex Torpchenko goal, pulling Hellebuyck from the net. 

Neal Pionk would make it 6-2 with a one-timer on the power play, but the Blues would once again respond, scoring their third goal on the power play, courtesy of a Colton Parayko one-timer.

It was a difficult night for the Jets, mustering just 18 shots on goal, compared to the Blues' 28. Hellebuyck finished the night with a .760 SV% and a 7.20 GAA. Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele, who had been catalysts in the first two games, finished a combined -7 with three shots on goal. 

The Jets can avenge their loss in Game 4 on Sunday, with puck drop set for noon Central time.

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