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    THN Winnipeg Staff
    Jan 26, 2024, 17:15

    The Winnipeg Jets had a strong contingent on the ice on Friday.

    Injured Winnipeg Jets players Josh Morrissey, Mark Scheifele and Gabe Vilardi all hit the ice on Friday at the team's first practice at home in a week.

    Morrissey, who went down in the first period of Wednesday's game in Toronto, was the most surprising of the three participants, as his presumed injury was severe enough to remove him from the game through just one period of play.

    Vilardi (lower-body) and Scheifele (lower-body) also skated for the Jets in regular contact sweaters - something that has been the norm over the past week as well.

    Scheifele has missed the past five games, while Vilardi has missed two. 

    Morrissey wore his regular blue defensive sweater, indicating he wasn't quite as banged up as some might have suspected. He also participated in line rushes with his regular defence partner Dylan DeMelo.

    Scheifele and Vilardi took their rushes with Kyle Connor, on the team's first line.  

    David Gustafsson, Axel Jonsson-Fjallby and Dominic Toninato each wore light blue sweaters, meaning they could serve as extra participants. 

    The Jets close out their unofficial first half of the season on Saturday evening in the second half of the extended home-and-home with the Maple Leafs at 6:00 PM central. 

    After losing 1-0 in the final minute of overtime on Wednesday, the Jets will certainly be looking for some revenge. Whether or not they go at it with a re-stocked lineup is a whole different question.

    Should head coach Rick Bowness and general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff feel it best to keep both Vilardi and Scheifele out of action on Saturday, it would mean they each get an additional week off in their respective recoveries, as the team enters its bye week, returning to action on February 6.

    A better indication will come on Saturday at the team's morning skate in advance of the evening contest vs. Toronto.