Jets’ Josh Morrissey out for series vs. Golden Knights with lower-body injury

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey made a very early exit from Game 3 of his team’s quarterfinal playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights with a lower-body injury.

Morrissey logged just 1:14 over two shifts in the first period of Saturday’s playoff game. He awkwardly collided with Golden Knights defenseman Zach Whitecloud during his first shift; after briefly returning to the ice for a power-play shift two minutes later, Morrissey left the game for good.

The Jets officially ruled Morrissey out for the rest of Game 3 shortly after the start of the first intermission. After the game, Jets head coach Rick Bowness said Morrissey will not return for the rest of the series.

INJURY UPDATE: #NHLJets D – Josh Morrissey will not return to today’s game due to a lower body injury.

— Winnipeg Jets PR (@WpgJetsPR) April 22, 2023

Morrissey, 28, emerged as a Norris Trophy candidate during his breakout 2022–23 campaign, collecting 16 goals and 76 points while averaging 24:14 in 78 games with the Jets.

Winnipeg originally selected Morrissey in the first round (No. 13 overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft. The six-foot defenseman, who shoots left, made his NHL debut with the Jets in the 2015–16 season.

Morrissey appeared in 16 playoff games in a top-four role with the Jets during their run to the 2018 Western Conference Final, but he never truly emerged as the No. 1 heir apparent to the departed Dustin Byfuglien until this past season.

Through his first six full NHL seasons, Morrissey recorded 166 points in 366 games. He collected nearly half that many points in just 78 games with the Jets in 2022–23.

Game 4 between the Jets and Golden Knights is slated for April 24 at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg. It remains to be seen how well the Jets will manage Morrissey’s absence as they attempt to claw back from a 2–1 series deficit.