Jets’ Josh Morrissey “probably” expected to play in Game 2 vs. Stars
The Winnipeg Jets seem set to have the healthiest lineup that they’ve had all playoffs, as defenseman Josh Morrissey is likely to return for Game 2 against the Dallas Stars on Friday.
#NHLJets Scott Arniel was asked if we can expect Josh Morrissey in the lineup tonight.
With a smile on his face, he said “probably” 😁
He also spoke later about the importance of having his full top-four back together. pic.twitter.com/aTATiOCOZ4
While Morrissey isn’t 100% confirmed to be in the lineup, when asked about if he was expected to return, Jets head coach Scott Arniel said “probably” with a smile, so that’s as good of a confirmation as any in the playoffs.
Morrissey missed Game 1 after sustaining an upper-body injury during Game 7 of the Jets’ first round series against the St. Louis Blues when he took a hit from Oskar Sundqvist behind the net. The hit occurred in the first period of the game, and he did not play for the remainder of the 4-3 overtime win for the Jets.
Morrissey is slated to go back on the top pairing alongside his usual running mate in Dylan DeMelo. The duo outscored opponents 51-36 and had a 56.03% 5v5 expected goal share in 1225:30 of ice time together in the regular season, but have been outscored 6-1 and have a 34.31% 5v5 xG% in 73:42 of ice time together in the playoffs.
Morrissey has been good but not great so far in the playoffs, with just 3 assists in 7 games. This comes after another great regular season, where he had 14 goals and 48 assists for 62 points in 80 games.
Morrissey is in the fifth year of an eight-year contract with a $6.25 million cap hit.
Morrissey was the 13th overall selection for the Jets in the 2013 NHL Draft out of the WHL. He stayed in the WHL for two more seasons after being drafted, winning a WHL Championship with the Kelowna Rockets in 2015.
Morrissey spent most of the following season in the AHL with the Manitoba Moose, but he did make his NHL debut that season, playing in just one game. He cemented himself as an NHL regular the following season, and has since spent parts of 10 seasons with the team.
The Jets currently find themselves down 1-0 in their series to the Stars, and will look to bounce back and even the series on Friday when they host Game 2 at 8:30 p.m. CST.