Heading into Game 1 of their second-round Western Conference series, both the Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars will receive significant offensive boosts with key players returning to their lineups. Forward Mark Scheifele is set to play for the Jets, while winger Jason Robertson will be back for the Stars. Both teams advanced after hard-fought Game 7 victories in the opening round.
Scheifele’s last game was Game 5 of the first round against the St. Louis Blues; he subsequently missed the final two contests due to an undisclosed injury. In five playoff games played, he has accumulated six points, consisting of two goals and four assists. During the regular season, he finished second on the team in scoring with a career-high 87 points, contributing to Winnipeg earning the Presidents’ Trophy.
(A photo accompanying the original article showed Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Scheifele skating during a game against the Dallas Stars.)
For the Dallas Stars, Jason Robertson makes his return after being out of the lineup since April 16 with a knee injury. He recently participated in practice, skating alongside teammates Wyatt Johnston and Mason Marchment. This season, Robertson ranked second on the Stars in scoring with 80 points, including a team-leading 35 goals.
On the defensive side, the Winnipeg Jets will be without blueliners Josh Morrissey and Logan Stanley for Game 1. Morrissey exited Game 7 early in the first period following a hit into the boards. He had recorded three assists in the first six games of the first-round series, averaging 23:30 of ice time. In 80 regular-season games, the 30-year-old defenseman posted 14 goals and 48 assists.
Stanley appeared in five post-season games, registering no points, a minus-2 rating, and 42 penalty minutes. Haydn Fleury replaced him in Game 7, playing a significant 33:02 in the double-overtime win. Although Morrissey and Stanley practiced on Wednesday, they stayed on the ice longer for extra work, skating together as what appeared to be an extra defensive pairing, indicating they are not yet ready for game action.
Game 1 of the second-round playoff series between the Jets and the Stars is scheduled for Wednesday, hosted by Winnipeg, with the puck drop at 9:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. CT.
