LAS VEGAS — It turns out Rick Bowness had a reason for calling Nikolaj Ehlers a game-time decision even after the Winnipeg Jets winger had declared himself good to go on two separate occasions.
As the Jets hit the ice for the warmup prior to Game 1 of the opening-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights, Ehlers was not out there and was ruled out with an upper-body injury he sustained after being hit by Ryan Hartman of the Minnesota Wild last Tuesday.
With Ehlers unavailable, Nino Niederreiter was promoted to the second line with Vladislav Namestnikov and Blake Wheeler, while Morgan Barron moved onto the checking line with Adam Lowry.
Kevin Stenlund was also a game-time decision, but he was in the lineup centring the fourth line with Saku Maenalanen and David Gustafsson.
After the game, which the Jets won 5-1, Bowness said Ehlers had not had a setback but added that the injury recovery had not progressed as the team had hoped it would in time for the game.
"We're not going to put a player on the ice that is not at least close to 100 per cent and put him in a vulnerable position where he could have a setback," Bowness said. "I know he wants to play... but medically he was not ready to play."
Bowness said the same process over the next 48 hours will determine whether Ehlers will be cleared for Game 2.
The news on the injury front was more positive for the Golden Knights, who got captain Mark Stone and defenceman Zach Whitecloud back for the opening game of the series.
Connor Hellebuyck was in goal for the Jets, while Laurent Brossoit made his first Stanley Cup playoff start for the Golden Knights against his former team.
The Golden Knights swept the season series with the Jets 3-0, but the two teams hadn't faced one another since December before Tuesday's contest.
Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday night in Vegas with coverage on Sportsnet and SN NOW beginning at 10 p.m. ET/ 9 p.m. MT.
With files from Sportsnet's Josh Beneteau.
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