The Winnipeg Jets couldn’t have asked for a boost at a better time.
Forward Nikolaj Ehlers is set to return to the Jets’ lineup as they gear up for Game 6 against the St. Louis Blues on Friday.
The Jets are currently up 3-2 in the first-round series and can close it out with a win Friday.
Ehlers has missed the last few weeks with a right foot injury suffered on April 12, but was listed as a game-time decision earlier in the day.
The Aalborg, Denmark native shed his usual non-contact jersey and was a full participant in the Jets’ morning skate Friday at Enterprise Center in St. Louis.
For a player who only recently resumed skating with the team, Ehlers has made significant strides over the last few days.
“Didn’t know it was going to be this quick, but again we’ll see,” Jets head coach Scott Arniel said. “You’ve got to get through here, see how he is, but he’s looking good and he’s pretty comfortable. So we’ll see where we go.”
Ehlers, who skated on a line with Adam Lowry and Cole Perfetti, provides an immediate injection of speed and scoring punch. He had 63 points (24 goals, 39 assists) over 69 games this season.
“If Nik is ready to go, if we can have him step into the lineup, that’s a big boost for our offensive game and a big boost for our transition game,” Lowry said.
The Jets won’t have top-line centre Mark Scheifele available after he was hurt in a 5-3 home win in Game 5 on Wednesday. He didn’t make the trip to St. Louis and is considered day-to-day.
The home team has won every game in this first-round showdown. The Blues won Games 3 and 4 and have won 14 straight home contests overall.
Ehlers was not made available to reporters after the morning skate.
Puck drops on Game 6 at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
— With files from Sportsnet Staff
