Jets' Mark Scheifele joins Blake Wheeler on COVID-19 list, could be cleared Thursday

It was learned Tuesday that Jets captain Blake Wheeler would miss at least four games total, including the next three contests, because he tested positive for COVID-19 and was experiencing symptoms, but Winnipeg also said at that time there were no additional positive test results. 

That may no longer be the case ahead of Thursday's matchup against the Anaheim Ducks. 

Per the NHL's website, Winnipeg center Mark Scheifele tested positive for the virus on Wednesday morning but later produced a negative result. If he tests negative again and stays asymptomatic, the first result will be discarded and he will be cleared to play against Anaheim. 

"We have game-time decisions all the time," Jets coach Paul Maurice told reporters about the situation. "The difference is if a guy has a pulled groin, you don't have to worry about it spreading to the guy he sits beside on the plane. We're going to wait for a test, we've done that in the past, and we've got two lineups, two plans, and two power-play groups. Mark is in the protocol now, so we're going down one direction. We've got that set for tonight. If we get good news on Mark here, we'll just quickly switch." 

Per ESPN stats, Scheifele is tied for second on the 0-2-1 Jets with two assists, his only two points thus far this season. Anaheim, meanwhile, enters Thursday night at 2-2-0 and defeated Winnipeg 4-1 back on Oct. 13.