WINNIPEG – Mark Scheifelewill not play for the Winnipeg Jets in Game 6 of the Western Conference First Round on Friday. The forward did not return after the first period of the Jets’ 5-3 win against the St. Louis Blues in Game 5 on Wednesday.
In fact, head coach Scott Arniel said Scheifele will not travel with the team to St. Louis when the Jets, who lead the best-of-7 series, 3-2, try to close out the Blues at Enterprise Center (8 p.m. ET; FDSNMW, MAX, truTV, TNT, SN, TVAS, CBC).
He would not say if Scheifele is in concussion protocol, only saying he's day to day.
Scheifele, the Jets’ center on their top line, took a couple of big hits in the first period, including one from Blues captain Brayden Schenn along the boards at 6:12. Scheifele remained in the game and Schenn was called for interference and roughing and Jets forward Brandon Tanev was called for roughing to give the Jets a power play. At 17:02, there was another big hit from Blues forward Radek Faksa.
Scheifele played 8:05 and had one assist in the game.
Vladislav Namestnikov took Scheifele’s place on the top line as well as the Jets’ first power-play unit and had a goal and an assist in the second period.
Scheifele has six points (two goals, four assists) in five Stanley Cup Playoff games.
The 32-year-old had 87 points (39 goals, 48 assists) in 82 regular-season games, second on the Jets behind Kyle Connor with 97 points (41 goals, 56 assists).
