BOSTON — This was a positive development, though it’s simply a step in the ongoing process.
Prior to the formal session getting underway here Sunday, Winnipeg Jets top centre Mark Scheifele skated for the first time since suffering a suspected groin injury on Jan. 11 against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Since he was in a non-contact jersey and didn’t take part in the full practice, it’s important to note that Scheifele won’t be an option to play on Monday against the Boston Bruins, nor is he expected to return to game action on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, although he hasn’t officially been ruled out yet.
Jets centre Mark Scheifele might not see action again until February. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press files)
Given the nature of the injury and the pending player break and NHL All-Star Game, it’s not out of the question to think Scheifele, who leads the Jets with 41 points in 41 games, might not return before the Feb. 6 game against the host Pittsburgh Penguins.
“He said it felt good today, so he’ll have another light skate (on Monday). He’s still a few days away at least,” Bowness told reporters in Boston on Sunday afternoon. “He’ll probably skate again on Tuesday when we go to Toronto and we’ll go from there. He’s missed 10 days now and it was just a light skate, so we’ll see.”
The Jets took to the ice a day after defeating the Ottawa Senators 2-1 in overtime. Nikolaj Ehlers slipped around defenceman Jakob Chychrun and then beat goalie Joonas Korpisalo with a backhand with just 45.8 seconds left in the three-on-three session for his 16th tally of the season.
Scheifele missed his third-straight game.
Bowness said Jets forwards Gabriel Vilardi and Cole Perfetti opted out of practice for maintenance on Sunday, but both are expected to suit up against the Bruins.
Look for Connor Hellebuyck to get the start against the Bruins, while Laurent Brossoit is on track to face the Maple Leafs on Wednesday in the finale of this three-game road trip.
Jeremy Swayman is expected to get the call for the Bruins, making it a battle of all-stars between the pipes.
Hellebuyck played college hockey for UMass-Lowell and in 11 career starts against the Bruins, he is 4-6-1 with a .915 save percentage and 2.78 goals-against average.
The Bruins continue to lead the Eastern Conference with 65 points and are coming off a 9-4 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.
Since the Jets earned a 5-1 victory in the first meeting between the two teams last month, you can be sure the Bruins would like to even up the season series.
IAFALLO A BOOST FOR PK: Jets winger Alex Iafallo has showcased his versatility throughout the season and while he’s recently found himself on the fourth line with Rasmus Kupari and Morgan Barron, he’s been flourishing as a penalty killer since being added to the unit.
Earlier in the season, Iafallo had a lot on his plate as he was on the top line with Scheifele and on the top power play unit, so the Jets didn’t want to tax his minutes with additional responsibilities.
As the Jets have gotten closer to full health, it was natural for Iafallo to add the penalty kill to his portfolio again — as it’s an area he was always comfortable with during his time with the Los Angeles Kings.
“We’re winning games, so that’s the best part of it,” Iafallo told reporters on Sunday. “I’m going to keep playing my role. However I can help the team out, wherever that may be. Just keep working hard and keep pushing. Be used any way that I can. (The coaches) are pretty straightforward with what I’ve got to do. Just try to be a utility knife, I guess.”
Iafallo continues to play on the top power play unit as well and found himself tapped on the shoulder for a shift in overtime Saturday, generating a quality scoring chance before he was thwarted by Joonas Korpisalo.
“The thing about Alex, you love him. You can put him in any of those situations,” said Bowness. “Power play, penalty kill, and he handles everything really, really well. So I just felt good with him on the ice.”
Despite enduring an eight-game stretch without a point, Iafallo has seven goals and 17 points in 44 games this season and has done a nice job of finding a way to make a contribution even when he doesn’t find the score sheet.
PRAISE FOR SAMBERG: Jets defenceman Dylan Samberg made a heads-up play to flip the puck into the neutral zone on Saturday afternoon, springing his teammates on a three-on-one rush that was ultimately converted by Mason Appleton for the first goal of the contest.
“I saw Nino coming late into the zone and he was behind their defenceman and it was a bump play up the wall,” Samberg told reporters. “I just figured if I could get it high enough, maybe Nino could beat him out and it ended up working out.”
Another heads-up play by a player who is gaining confidence daily.
“When he’s at his best, he’s making those simple plays. Not trying to overcomplicate it,” said Jets defenceman Brenden Dillon. “A simple flip out of the zone, (realizing) their D are gapped up like that. We get a three on one and next thing you know it’s a big goal for our team.”
Samberg continues to provide quality minutes for the Jets and he’s up to 12 assists and points, which is already a career high.
“He gives us the same effort every night,” said Bowness. “He’s a big part of the penalty kill and our third pairing on D and he’s been solid.”
MOOSE SCUFFLING: The Manitoba Moose, the primary affiliate of the Jets, are going through a rough patch in the American Hockey League schedule, dropping nine consecutive games (0-8-1) — including a 4-3 loss to the Grand Rapids Griffins on Saturday.
The Moose coughed up three-goal leads in each of their weekend games against the Griffins and they will continue a four-game homestand with games against the Chicago Wolves on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Moose winger Nikita Chibrikov leads the team in goals (13) and points (28) in 44 games during his first season playing in North America.
Defenceman Ville Heinola has appeared in three AHL games since returning from a broken ankle and he’s recorded two assists.
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Ken Wiebe
Sports reporter
Raised in the booming metropolis of Altona, Man., Ken Wiebe grew up wanting to play in the NHL, but after realizing his hands were more adept at typing than scoring, he shifted his attention to cover his favourite sport as a writer.
