The Winnipeg Jets will look to avoid elimination for the first time in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, as they hit the ice in Vegas for Game 5 against the Golden Knights on Thursday.
The late-night game is slated for 9:00 PM central time, and will also see Vegas look to punch its ticket to the second round of the postseason for the first time in two years.
With Jets head coach Rick Bowness having already listed Josh Morrissey as 'out' for the duration of the opening round, he later announced that Mark Scheifele would also be missing in action for Thursday's tilt.
"Mark, we're ruling out for tomorrow," Bowness said following Jets practice on Wednesday.
Cole Perfetti has also had his comeback cut short, as the rookie forward will also not quite be ready in time for Game 5.
Another variable was that of Nikolaj Ehlers. Having skated in a full-contact sweater with linemates Vladislav Namestnikov and Nino Niederreiter on Wednesday, both the coach and player are adamant that a Thursday night return is on the table.
Karson Kuhlman and David Gustafsson also skated with the main group on Thursday, as Mason Appleton missed the skate with a minor ailment. Much like Ehlers - who continues to await medical clearance - Appleton will be listed as a game-time decision on Thursday night.
Other than that of Scheifele, the only other known change will be on defence, as Kyle Capobianco will draw into the lineup in place of Logan Stanley.
Just prior to warmup, it was determined that both Ehlers and Appleton would be good to go, while Capobianco will, in fact, draw in for Stanley. Much like that of Ehlers, Kuhlman will also suit up in his first postseason game of 2023.
Expected lines for April 27 vs. Vegas:
Connor - Dubois - Wheeler
Ehlers - Namestnikov - Niederreiter
Barron - Lowry - Appleton
Maenalanen - Stenlund - Kuhlman
Dillon - Pionk
Schmidt - DeMelo
Capobianco - Samberg
Hellebuyck
Scratches: Scheifele, Morrissey, Perfetti, Gustafsson, Jonsson-Fjallby, Stanley