While folks got excited to see Nikolaj Ehlers skating again on Tuesday he will not be a player tonight in a critical game 5 as he continues to work his way back after re-aggravating an old injury back on April 12th. Expect to see him on the ice for morning skate in a yellow, non-contact jersey. One formerly injured player who is back tonight will be Gabriel Vilardi who returns after being out of the lineup since March 23rd and will resume his spot on the top line. Almost as important as the return of number 13 (especially on the power play) will be that Nino Niederreiter returns to his familiar spot alongside Adam Lowry and Mason Appleton.
Of course while these are all important lineup notes all eyes are going to be on Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck who allowed 11 goals in his last two games and knows he has to be better in order for his club to right the ship and pick up a victory this evening.
The only change we are expecting for the Blues is defenceman Tyler Tucker who suffered a leg injury in the game 4 win. As per Blues writer Lou Korac both Robert Thomas and captain Brayden Schenn took maintenance days yesterday.
Morning skate news:
No surprises this morning at morning skate. As expected Nikolaj Ehlers skating in a yellow, non-contact.
Jets lines & D pairs:
Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi
Iafallo-Namestnikov-Perfetti
Niederreiter-Lowry-Appleton
Tanev-Barron-JAD
Morrissey-DeMelo
Samberg-Pionk
Stanley-Schenn
Hellebuyck
Blues lines and D pairs:
Buchnevich-Thomas-Snuggerud
Neighbours-Schenn-Kyrou
Texier-Sundqvist-Bolduc
Toropchenko-Faksa-Walker
Fowler-Parayko
Broberg-Faulk
Suter-Leddy
Binnington
Courtesy of Blues beat writer for The Athletic Jeremy Rutherford
Players media:
Coach media:
Topics:
1) No 2nd period goals/lead into 3rd.
2) Neutralizing Blues D in games 1 & 2 vs 3 & 4 (1:20)
3) Is the dam about to burst for line 2? (2:25)
4) What will it take of Josh Morrissey to put stamp on series? (3:38)
5) What can they do to help in transition? (4:36)
6) Going back to games 1 & 2 lineup for game 5 (5:06)
7) Playing two games in eight days (5:36)
8) Having identity line (62/17/22) back together (6:18)
9) Impact of the crowd impacting games (6:56)
Up Next:
Join us before the game on a Special Playoff Edition Illegal Curve Pre-Game Show which starts at 6:30 PM CDT and you can watch on our YouTube channel as well as live at CityPlace (333 St. Mary’s). Puck drop is at 8:30 PM CDT. Be sure to head over to illegalcurve.com following the game for a recap of the action which includes post-game interviews from Jets players as well as from head coach Scott Arniel. You can also join us afterwards for the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show (be sure to smash that like/subscribe button).
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