Now, Games 1 through 6 have been a build-up to a massive Game 7 showdown between the Winnipeg Jets and St. Louis Blues. And now, just when a fill-in-the-blanks drama is peaking in anticipation, the Jets lose star center Mark Scheifele to injury. So all those months spent turning a home venue into a fortress and winning every game at home now face their most formidable challenge because the Jets are missing one of their most vital offensive forces. Scheifele’s long-skated practice solo was hopeful in making one optimistic, but now, that speculation can be laid to rest.
Injury disappointingly will keep Mark Scheifele out of the deciding game for the Winnipeg Jets
The unfortunate news that Mark Scheifele, who racked up 87 points this season, will be out with an undisclosed injury for this seventh game will put the entire postseason run of the Jets on hold. He took a battering in Game 5, most notably when hit by Brayden Schenn and awarded interference, but also at the hands of Radek Faksa later in the period. While he did stay on for a short while, eventually assisting on a goal, he did not return for the second period. Alarm bells went off about his condition after he missed Game 6, but hope was rekindled when he was spotted skating alone until the announcement Sunday squashed any optimism.
Head Coach Scott Arniel is convinced that the team can regroup; they have had to readjust time after time throughout the season with injuries. With Gabriel Vilardi having returned for Game 5 and Nikolaj Ehlers for Game 6, the Jets have adapted to changing the lineup. The next-man-up mentality has been one of the team’s mantras during this difficult playoff run.
The Jets have ended their regular season with an NHL-best 56-22-4 record, winning the Presidents’ Trophy, which is a lot due to the great performances of Scheifele and Kyle Connor, who had a tremendous season, scoring 97 points. Down the middle is a test for the Jets, which means their depth forwards have to step up with no real room for error in such a game.
Game 7, set for the Canada Life Centre, marks the franchise’s first home Game 7 ever in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Jets had successfully been able to win a Game 7 against Nashville in 2018, but that was an away victory.
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The depth is going to be crucial for the Winnipeg Jets in Game 7 versus the St. Louis Blues because of the uphill battle they find themselves in without Mark Scheifele. Their home record is still clean in this series, and they will surely seek inspiration from the crowd and strong contributions from the entire roster to be propelled into the next round.
