Jets' Scheifele exits Game 5, head coaches trade barbs on how injury occurred
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Winnipeg Jets forward Mark Scheifele was not on the bench for the start of the second period and did not return in Wednesday's Game 5 win against the visiting St. Louis Blues.
Scheifele, 32, took a big hit from Blues captain Brayden Schenn 6:12 into the game that was called for interference, but remained in the game. He also took a big hit from Radek Faksa while entering the offensive zone late in the first period.
Jets head coach Scott Arniel didn't have much of an update following Winnipeg's 5-3 win, saying they should have more of an update on Thursday.
While the hit by Schenn drew more attention, Blues head coach Jim Montgomery said he felt Scheifele suffered his injury on the Faksa hit, adding that Scheifele played six minutes following the Schenn collision.
"Let's make it clear...No. 55 [Scheifele] got hurt from the Faksa hit," Montgomery said. "He played six minutes after the Schenn hit. He didn't come back after he got rocked by Faksa."
Arniel took issue with Montgomery's injury assessment.
“I didn’t know Monty had his medical degree…He’s way off base,” said Arniel.
The 6-foot-3 centre completed the period with 8:05 of ice time but did not return to the Jets' bench at the start of the second frame.
The Jets can advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday with a win in Game 6 from St. Louis.
Scheifele is tied with forward Kyle Connor in team scoring during the postseason with two goals and five points through four games.
He was also second in team scoring during the regular season, recording 39 goals and 87 points in 82 games.