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WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Jets center Mark Scheifele is out for Game 7, Winnipeg coach Scott Arniel said Sunday morning.

Though misdirection is common in the NHL postseason, Scheifele, who missed Game 6 after taking two hard hits in Game 5, did not take part in the morning skate and while he skated in a track suit on Saturday in practice, his playing Sunday seems unlikely.

“He's not in tonight,� Arniel said.

“That's just the challenge that we've run into all year long,� he said. “We've run into it in this series, without Gabe (Vilardi) and Nik (Ehlers). We've done it all year long. And that's just part of sort of our group that know that they have to step up. Next guy has to step up, whether that's more opportunity more ice time. Take advantage of it, do what you can.�

The Jets rallied around the early exit of their star center in Game 5 to win that game, the Jets’ offense was lacking in Game 6. Now they’ll have to get it back in Game 7, which starts at 6 p.m. at Canada Life Center. The home team has won each of the first six games of this series.

There aren’t expected to be any changes in personnel on the Blues’ side for Game 7, but the Blues held an optional skate that saw only a few players out on the ice, so there was nothing to be gleaned there. Asked about Alexandre Texier or Mathieu Joseph, the only two players really in question, Montgomery wouldn’t comment.

Game faces on

Some of the Blues youngsters have gone through their first NHL playoffs, and our now are getting their first Game 7.

"Exciting, a lot of emotions,� said forward Jake Neighbours. “It's something you dream of, to get to play in the playoffs, but to be a part of a Game 7, it's a dream come true. I'm very excited for the opportunity and it's going to be a very exciting game."

“As a group we're really excited,� forward Zack Bolduc said. “It’s a great opportunity for us to be here back in Winnipeg. It's a big game. It's the work that we've put in for the past month and a half and now we're here, and it's a one-game deal. We're really excited and really looking forward to tonight."

This is the first Game 7 for Neighbours at any level. He’s never been in a series that has gone longer than six games before. But this whole postseason has been a learning experience.

"It's been good,� Neighbours said. “You've got to try to learn and adapt quickly. I think I'm a player who plays a playoff style of game. I try to play that way all year round. For me I don't think the style of game doesn't change too much. It's learning the ups and downs, the momentum swings of the playoffs, how to control your emotions and all the energy that comes with it. So for me, learning that on the fly has been fun, it's been new, and I've really enjoyed it."

“I think a little bit on that side,� Montgomery said, “is the experience they have in the first six games of getting used to being on the road, being at home, using the momentum, playing with the momentum, playing against the momentum. It just allows them to have experience for Game 7. And we have six Stanley Cup winners that are there to help them through it.�

With the optional skate, Montgomery was trying to keep the morning, at least, of Game 7 low key.

“Experience has taught me this,� he said. “I've been in a couple the last couple of years, and it's my fourth, it's like you've done all the work and just enjoy it. I feel like a kid. It's awesome.�

Home is where the wins are

This series has seen the home team win every game and in the NHL playoffs at large, the home team has gone 31-15 this season. In the Blues-Jets series, the home team has outscored the visitors 29-12.

Eleven series in NHL history have seen home teams go 7-0, the most recent being the 2022 first-round matchup between the Hurricanes and Bruins. 

Winnipeg won the Presidents' Trophy for having the best record in the regular season. The Blues had the NHL’s best record from the 4 Nations Face-Off on.

The Blues and Jets had the two longest winning streaks in the NHL this season, both of which set franchise records. Winnipeg went 11-0-0 from Jan. 22 to Feb. 26, spanning the 4 Nations break. The Blues went 12-0-0 from March 15 to April 5. 

Personnel file

The Blues had an optional skate that almost no one took part in, but based on the lines that were used in practice on Saturday, the only change is a possible flop of Jimmy Snuggerud and Jordan Kyrou on the top two lines.

Blues

Forwards

Buchnevich-Thomas-Kyrou

Neighbours-Schenn-Snuggerud

Joseph-Sundqvist-Bolduc

Toropchenko-Faksa-Walker

Defensemen

Fowler-Parayko

Broberg-Faulk

Suter-Leddy

Goaltender

Binnington

For the Jets, Scheifele is out and defenseman Logan Stanley, who got hurt in Game 6, might be out too. Arniel said he would be a game-time decision.

Jets

Forwards

Connor-Namestnikov-Vilardi

Ehlers-Lowry-Perfetti

Niederreiter-Barron-Appleton

Tanev-Toninato-Iafallo

Defensemen

Morrissey-DeMelo

Samberg-Pionk

Fleury-Schenn

Goaltender

Hellebuyck