For Jeff and Rita Schenn, this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs bring a unique challenge: watching their sons, Luke and Brayden Schenn, go head-to-head in a fiercely competitive first-round series between the Winnipeg Jets and the St. Louis Blues. With the series tied at 2-2 and Game 5 set for Wednesday in Winnipeg, the emotional stakes are as high as the playoff ones.
A Rare Sibling Showdown
Luke and Brayden Schenn are part of an elite group—only the sixth set of brothers in the last 20 years to battle each other in an NHL playoff series. Both are respected veterans, former top-five draft picks, and Stanley Cup champions. Now in their 30s, each has reached the 1,000-game milestone, a feat accomplished by just eight sets of brothers in NHL history.
Luke, a rugged defenseman, began his NHL journey with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2008 and won two Cups with Tampa Bay in 2020 and 2021. Brayden, a playmaking center, was drafted fifth overall in 2009 by the Los Angeles Kings and lifted the Cup in 2019 with the Blues. He became the Blues’ captain in 2023.
A Playoff Series No One Saw Coming
Just two months ago, it seemed unlikely that either brother would be playing playoff hockey. The Blues were struggling, and Luke’s Nashville Predators were buried near the bottom of the standings. Brayden was rumored to be on the trade block, and there was even talk of a “Schenn package deal”.
Then things shifted. Luke was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 5, only to be flipped two days later to the Winnipeg Jets, a top contender. The Blues, meanwhile, surged with a 5-1-1 run that convinced GM Doug Armstrong to hold onto Brayden.
Now, not only are both in the playoffs, but they’re facing each other in a hard-hitting, penalty-filled series.
Schenns Making an Impact
Both brothers are leaving their mark on the ice.
Luke Schenn, playing on Winnipeg’s third defensive pair, is logging 16 minutes a night, leading the Jets with 20 hits, and has racked up 30 penalty minutes—most in the playoffs—due to misconducts in Games 1 and 4. Despite tough defensive assignments, he’s helping Winnipeg control over 55% of expected goals at 5-on-5.
He also recorded an assist in Game 1, where the Jets won 5-3, and remains a physical tone-setter.
Brayden Schenn got on the scoresheet in Game 4 with a goal and assist in the Blues’ dominant 5-1 win. Centering a line with Jake Neighbours and Jordan Kyrou, he’s averaging 16:31 per game and adding grit with two misconducts of his own. His expected goals share sits at 43.34% overall, but that jumped to 55.70% on home ice, showing his influence in St. Louis.
Brothers, But Rivals—For Now
While the series heats up, Jeff and Rita Schenn have stayed admirably neutral. Don’t expect them in Frankenstein jerseys or split hats.
“I think they’ll be pretty neutral,” Luke said. “They’re not going to be wearing jerseys. I don’t see them ever wearing a jersey to the games.”
Their choice makes sense—how do you choose between two sons chasing the same dream?
Goaltending Could Be the Series Decider
The Schenns aren’t the only storyline. Goaltending is playing a massive role. While Jordan Binnington has been solid for the Blues (.907 SV%, 9 GA), Connor Hellebuyck, the Vezina Trophy favorite, has struggled with a .817 save percentage and 15 goals allowed, getting pulled in back-to-back games.
Still, Hellebuyck remains confident: “Win the next one. Am I going to be better? I am going to be better.”
The Schenn vs. Schenn battle is one of the most compelling stories in this year’s playoffs. It’s rare to see two elite brothers, both with championship rings and leadership roles, meet in such high-stakes circumstances. No matter who moves on—Luke’s Jets or Brayden’s Blues—the Schenn family will experience both the thrill of victory and the heartbreak of elimination.
