The Winnipeg Jets are facing a must-win game against the Vegas Golden Knights. Winnipeg is facing an elimination game in Game 5 of the first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series. However, the Jets will have to make due without one of their top players. Head coach Rick Bowness has ruled Mark Scheifele out for tonight’s game. Sportsnet’s Ken Wiebe broke the news on Wednesday afternoon.
#NHLJets HC Rick Bowness said C Mark Scheifele is officially out for Game 5. Not yet ruled out for Game 6, if there is one.
— Ken Wiebe (@WiebesWorld) April 26, 2023
Mark Scheifele Out For Game 5
The 30-year-old pivot left in the first period of Monday’s 4-2 Game 4 loss to Vegas. It’s looked like Kitchener, Ontario native suffered the upper-body injury in Game 4. This many have been when he crashed into the boards awkwardly after tripping over the pads of Vegas goalie Laurent Brossoit. The veteran centre had this happen on a breakaway, but tried to stay in the game. He returned a couple of minutes later on the power play, but left the game after a shot.
Scheifele has scored one goal so far this post-season for the Jets in the opening-round series. Bowness is hopeful the centre could return for Game on Thursday if Winnipeg does extend the series. Scheifele was Winnipeg’s first draft pick after the team moved from Atlanta when he was taken with the seventh pick of the 2011 NHL Draft. He netted a career-high 42 goals in 81 games this season.
Impact of Mark Scheifele Out of Lineup
The Jets suffer another injury blow as Josh Morrissey has been ruled out for the rest of the opening round. Nikolaj Ehlers has missed all four games of the series so far. However, there’s hope he’ll return for the crucial Game 5.
Winnipeg’s offence has been known to struggle at times this season. Losing Scheifele is a major blow and leaves the Jets without another offensive option. Connor Hellebuyck has done all he can to keep Winnipeg alive, but he may be at the end of his powers. The Jets will need an unlikely hero to step up to send the series back north.
Main photo by: James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports
