It’s not quite for “all the marbles” yet but the Jets are looking to close out the Blues this evening in St. Louis as game 6 looms large. If they do they’ll have to do something that hasn’t been accomplished yet this series which is to win a game as the road team. That task is all the more daunting as they will be trying to do it without top centre Mark Scheifele who did not make the trip after being on the receiving end of a couple of big hits that forced him to not return after the 1st intermission of game 5. We do know that Nikolaj Ehlers will be making the trip and while head coach Scott Arniel teased on Thursday saying “we’ll see what colour jersey he’s wearing” the expectation is he won’t be a player for tonight’s game.
Recall news:
The Jets announced this morning that they recalled prospect Brayden Yager (2023 1st) from his junior team. Lethbridge were knocked out of the WHL playoffs falling to Medicine Hat in the Eastern Conference Finals. As I was reminded by Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Free Press the other day when we were discussing a potential recall of Yager the Jets did similar with Nikolaj Ehlers for their 2015 playoffs when he was just a young 2014 1st rounder from the QMJHL. Further to this I was down at hockey for all centre and confirmed that Yager was skating with the taxi squad.
Morning skate news:
Big news this morning from St. Louis. Jets radio colour analyst Mitchell Clinton indicated Nikolaj Ehlers is in a regular jersey today at morning skate in St. Louis.
And Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press confirmed that Ehlers was skating on a line with Adam Lowry and Cole Perfetti. He also added that Dominic Toninato will play as the fourth line centre.
Warm-up news:
Murat Ates of The Athletic Winnipeg confirmed that Nikolaj Ehlers is in. It’s his first game since April 12th.
Jets lines & D pairs:
Connor-Namestnikov-Vilardi
Ehlers-Lowry-Perfetti
Niederreiter-Barron-Appleton
Tanev-Toninato-Iafallo
Morrissey-DeMelo
Samberg-Pionk
Stanley-Schenn
Hellebuyck
Blues lines and D pairs:
Buchnevich-Thomas-Snuggerud
Neighbours-Schenn-Kyrou
Joseph-Sundqvist-Bolduc
Toropchenko-Faksa-Walker
Fowler-Parayko
Broberg-Faulk
Suter-Leddy
Binnington
Only one change from last game according to Jeremy Rutherford who covers the Blues for The Athletic in St. Louis. He’s got Texier out and Joseph in.
Coach’s comments:
Scott Arniel indicated that Nikolaj Ehlers is a “game-time decision”. Wants to see how he feels after morning skate and into warm-up. He did say “it (Ehlers return to good health) arrived a lot quicker than we thought”.
Up Next:
Puck drop is at 7 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).
