The Winnipeg Jets’ push to qualify for the post-season received a positive sign Monday, as both Tyler Myers and Dustin Byfuglien returned to practice wearing regular contact sweaters, suggesting the injured players could be available for the next game.
Coach Paul Maurice said both players would be evaluated Tuesday and that it’s “a possibility” they could draw into the lineup.
Myers, 25, hasn’t played since he crashed into the boards and left the third period of March 12’s 4-2 loss to the Florida Panthers with an upper-body injury.
All-star Byfuglien, also nursing an upper-body ailment, hasn’t played since March 4. He was expected to be out two to four weeks.
“Practice was all right. We’ll see how things are tomorrow,” Byfuglien told reporters. “It was nice to come back and see the boys. I kinda miss ’em. It got a little boring, a little lonely out here without them.”
Centre Bryan Little (upper body) was not on the ice Monday. Neither were defencemen Tobias Enstrom (maintenance) and Paul Postma (suffered “significant lower-body” injury Saturday).
The Jets, who defeated Tampa Bay Lightning Saturday, next play Tuesday in Winnipeg, where they’ll host the San Jose Sharks — another team battling for its playoff life.