Connor returns to Jets lineup, Ehlers in, Scheifele still out
Posted January 16, 2024 3:59 pm.
The surging Winnipeg Jets are getting one of their biggest offensive weapons back with the return of leading goal-scorer Kyle Connor.
The Jets announced Tuesday that the 27-year-old left-wing was available for Winnipeg’s game that night against the visiting New York Islanders.
The update comes after Connor was a full participant in Winnipeg’s practice Monday for the first time since sustaining an injury from a knee-on-knee hit by Ducks forward Ryan Strome in a 4-2 win at Anaheim on Dec. 10.
Despite missing more than a month of action, Connor remains the Jets’ leading goal-scorer with 17 in 26 games.
The Jets, however, have excelled despite missing Connor’s production. Winnipeg (28-10-4) went 12-2-2 in the winger’s absence and entered Tuesday’s game leading the Central Division and two points back of idle Vancouver for top spot in the Western Conference.
Connor has 226 goals and 226 assists in 492 career games with the Jets since Winnipeg selected him 17th overall at the 2015 NHL draft.
Nikolaj Ehlers suffered an upper-body injury in practice on Friday but did not miss Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers. He did not take part in Monday’s practice, instead taking what associate coach Scott Arniel classified as a maintenance day. He has 15 goals and 18 assists for 33 points in 41 games this season.
Mark Scheifele suffered a lower-body injury in the second period Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks and did not return. Scheifele missed practice Friday and Saturday’s game against the Flyers. He has 14 goals and 27 assists for 41 points in 41 games this season.
The Jets’ eight-game winning streak and 14-game points streak ended Saturday in a 2-0 loss to the Flyers.
–with files from Sportsnet staff
