The Winnipeg Jets announced Thursday that first-line center Mark Scheifele will miss Game 6 against the St. Louis Blues on Friday, according to Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Free Press.
Scheifele left Game 5 after taking two significant hits in the first period. Brayden Schenn delivered the initial contact early in the frame, followed by another hit from Radek Faksa later in the period. Scheifele didn’t return to the game.
Head coach Scott Arniel refused to specify whether Scheifele is in concussion protocol.
“I’m not going down that road,” Arniel said.
The injury sparked a heated postgame exchange between Arniel and Blues head coach Jim Montgomery. When Montgomery suggested Faksa’s hit caused the injury, Arniel responded sharply.
“I didn’t know Monty got his medical degree,” Arniel said, while expressing concerns about Schenn’s hit.
Arniel also confirmed winger Nikolaj Ehlers won’t play in Game 6 but is traveling with the team. Ehlers has been sidelined since suffering a foot injury on April 12.
Scheifele recorded 39 goals and 48 assists during the regular season, ranking second on the team behind Kyle Connor in both categories.
He has 6 points through five playoff games.
The Jets’ center options now include Vladislav Namestnikov, Adam Lowry, Morgan Barron, David Gustafsson, and Rasmus Kupari. Wingers Gabriel Vilardi and Cole Perfetti have center experience as well.
Winnipeg leads the series 3-2. If necessary, Game 7 would be played Sunday.
