Back on April 5th, in a game against the Ottawa Senators, Winnipeg Jets captain Blake Wheeler was hit by an elbow courtesy of Brady Tkachuk.
Subsequently, Wheeler was forced to leave the game. After a couple of days, Paul Maurice announced that Wheeler would be out indefinitely with a concussion.
Fortunately, the injury did not look too severe. A week after suffering the concussion, Wheeler was back on the ice in Winnipeg while the Jets were in the midst of a road trip.
The Winnipeg Jets have received great news! Blake Wheeler should be back in the lineup on Thursday night
According to the Winnipeg Jets website, Wheeler was actually cleared to play in Saturday night’s game against Edmonton but the Jets coaching staff decided not to play him because of the added four-day rest between that game and Tomorrow’s game.
That decision is giving Wheeler more time to get back to full fitness before the Jets’ crucial two-game series against the first place Toronto Maple Leafs, which begins tomorrow night.
Yesterday at practice, Wheeler was on the right wing on a line with Kyle Connor, on the left side, and Mark Scheifele centering the group. It looks like that line will stay intact for the upcoming game.
In the six-game span that Wheeler was sidelined for, the Jets played well. They posted a 4-2-0 record including going 4-1-0 on their five-game road trip.
Wheeler’s return will definitely be a welcomed sight for the Winnipeg Jets as they fight for playoff position in the North Division. The Jets are currently in a battle at the top of the division, with the Leafs and Oilers, with only eleven games remaining in the regular season.
Winnipeg Jets Fans: Will Blake Wheeler score in his return to the lineup tomorrow night? Leave your comments below!
*All Stats Provided by the NHL*