Mark Scheifele did not play for the Winnipeg Jets in Game 7 of the Western Conference First Round against the St. Louis Blues on Sunday. The center was sidelined with an undisclosed injury.
Jets coach Scott Arniel confirmed the forward's status after the team's morning skate. Scheifele had been labeled a game-time decision after skating on Saturday.
Scheifele sustained the injury during Game 5 of the series. He played 8:05 in the first period of that contest before exiting and did not return.
He did not travel with the team to St. Louis for Game 6, which the Jets lost 5-2, tying the series 3-3. Scheifele skated Saturday wearing a tracksuit, and Arniel stated he felt better than he had Friday.
However, Mark Scheifele did not participate in the team's gameday skate Sunday, indicating his unavailability for the win-or-go-home game.
During the regular season, Scheifele was second in scoring for Winnipeg with 87 points (39 goals, 48 assists) in 82 games. In five games during the series, he recorded six points (two goals, four assists).
The winner of the Game 7 matchup will advance to face the Dallas Stars in the second round.
Jets defenseman Dylan Samberg spoke about the team's approach to the decisive game at home.
“I just feel we’ve been really solid all year at home,” Samberg said. “We know that and we’re comfortable playing here and the crowd really helps as well."
Samberg added the team needed to focus on fundamental aspects of their game. "I think we just have to use that home-ice advantage to our advantage and just make sure we stick to the simple details and try not to waver.”
