Winnipeg Jets coach Scott Arniel told the reporters in Winnipeg that Mark Scheifele will be out for tonight's Game 7 duel against the St. Louis Blues.

The 32-year-old was the recipient of two major hits in Game 5, forcing him to exit early from the contest and sit out Game 6. Yesterday, he skated independently with assistant coach Marty Johnson, but he did so without equipment. Arniel had labelled him a game-time decision, but after he was absent from this morning's skate, it became clear he would likely be watching from the sidelines.

It's unfortunate news for the Jets, as Scheifele is the team's second-leading scorer in the playoffs and has recorded all six of his points on home ice this series. 

With his absence, the Jets will ice the exact forward lineup they played in a resounding loss in Game 6. Vladislav Namestnikov will remain the first-line centre between Kyle Connor and Gabriel Vilardi. Adam Lowry will continue as the No.2 centre alongside Cole Perfetti and Nikolaj Ehlers. Morgan Barron and Dominic Toninato will serve as the bottom-six centres.

On the backend, Logan Stanley was absent. He attempted to throw a big hit on Nathan Walker in Game 6 but collided with Morgan Barron in the process, cutting parts of his face. Arniel mentioned that he would be a game-time decision tonight, and if he cannot play, Haydn Fleury will check back into the lineup for his second appearance of the opening round. 

The Jets are 3-0 on home ice this series, winning each game by slim margins. Although he hasn't been his dominant self at home, Connor Hellebuyck has performed considerably better on home ice than on the road this series. If the Jets hope to win this game, Hellebuyck will need to be the x-factor. 

Puck drop is at 6:00 PM Central Time at the Canada Life Centre. 

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Jets Face Familiar Postseason Roadmap Down Another Star Forward The Winnipeg Jets will be without star forward Mark Scheifele for Game 6 in St. Louis on Friday.