Scott Arniel shares official update on Mark Scheifele for Game 7.

The Winnipeg Jets got a little ray of hope on Saturday when head coach Scott Arniel announced that Jets forward Mark Scheifele would be a game time decision for Game 7 on Sunday.

Unfortunately it seems Arniel's optimism was misplaced as on Sunday Scheifele was notably absent from the ice, with Arniel confirming to reporters that he would not be available for the final game of the Jets opening round series against the St. Louis Blues.

"Nope, he won't be in tonight," confirmed Arniel on Sunday. "He's not in tonight."

Arniel was asked about any potential lineup changes ahead of the game, notably the possibility of defenseman Haydn Fleury potentially drawing back into the lineup, but Arniel wouldn't reveal anything beyond the fact that Schiefele will not play on Sunday.

"Maybe, Maybe... I gave you Schief I'm not giving you everything," said Arniel with a laugh.

Obviously not having Schiefele in a critical Game 7 scenario is less than ideal for the Jets and Arniel was asked about facing the pressure of such a big moment without his number one centerman on the ice.

"That's just the challenge that we've run into all year long," said Arniel. "We've run into it in this series without [Gabriel Vilardi] and [Nikolaj Ehlers] we've done it all year long. "Our group knows they have to step up, next guy has to step up, that's more opportunity, more ice time, and you have to take advantage of it."

Not only are the Jets without Schiefele but arguably their best player during the regular season, goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, has struggled mightily in the playoffs. The Jets face a tough challenge in Game 7 at home in Winnipeg.