The Winnipeg Jets and the Vegas Golden Knights first-round Stanley Cup Playoffs series is tied up at one game apiece. However, a Josh Morrissey injury concern could hamper the Jets’ chances of pulling off an upset. The defenceman left early in Game 3 and will not return in an announcement made by the team.
INJURY UPDATE: #NHLJets D – Josh Morrissey will not return to today’s game due to a lower body injury.
— Winnipeg Jets PR (@WpgJetsPR) April 22, 2023
Josh Morrissey Injury Forces Game 3 Exit
The 28-year-old only played a total of 74 seconds of ice time on two shifts before leaving the game in the first period. It appeared that Morrissey was injured when Vegas defenceman Zach Whitecloud hit Morrissey. The Calgary native looked like he suffered a lower-body injury and was ruled out for the rest of the pivotal Game 3. He went on the ice for one more shift, but couldn’t continue.
Morrissey has only played for the Jets over his eight-year NHL career. The 6-foot tall blueliner enjoyed a career-season with 16 goals and 76 points in 78 games. In the playoffs, he has one assist in two games. Winnipeg drafted Morrissey in the first round, 13th overall of the 2013 NHL Draft.
He’s also represented his native Canada on the international level. Morrissey has gold medals from the U18 and World Junior levels. He also has a silver from his time with the senior national team from the 2017 IIHF World Championships.
Impact of Josh Morrissey Injury
Losing Morrissey would be a big blow for the Jets, who are trying to pull an upset of the West’s top seed. He was in the Norris Trophy conversation for one of the league’s top defencemen. Morrissey seemed to flourish under new head coach Rick Bowness this season.
The Jets have been dealing without Nikolaj Ehlers in the lineup and losing Morrissey would have a big impact. Winnipeg looks like a different team on the ice without him on the back end.
Main photo by: Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports
