OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 26: Winnipeg Jets Center Mark Scheifele (55) after a whistle during second period National Hockey League action between the Winnipeg Jets and Ottawa Senators on February 26, 2025, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada.
(Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Mark Scheifele’s father, Brad, died during the night
  • Scheifele wants to play for his father on Saturday night
  • Read below for more on Scheifele’s status

Winnipeg Jets forward Mark Scheifele will play in Game 6 on Saturday night against the Dallas Stars after the sudden death of his father, Brad.

Scheifele’s status was up in the air upon the news being announced, but the Jets’ top center will be active and playing in a must-win Game 6 for the Jets.

Jets head coach Scott Arniel stayed back at the hotel with Schiefele for morning skate, and he confirmed the center’s status for Game 6 in his pregame media availability.

The Jets trail 3-2 in their second-round series against the Stars. Connor Hellebuyck posted a shutout in Game 5 in Winnipeg to force a Game 6 in Dallas on Saturday night.

Scheifele posted a career-high 87 points (39 goals, 48 assists) without missing a game for the Jets in the regular season. He’s added 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists) in 10 playoff games thus far, and he’ll play in his 11th on Saturday night. He’s coming off a Game 5 in which he scored a goal and added an assist for two points in the 4-0 victory.

Winnipeg faces an uphill battle in Dallas as the Jets have yet to win a road game in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs — and Scheifele has yet to record a point on the road. Having Scheifele active in the lineup and his teammates rallying around him can only help the Jets’ chances in Dallas on Saturday night.