Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele says he's willing to drop the gloves if Montreal Canadiens forward Jake Evans seeks out a fight to avenge the controversial hit Scheifele delivered in last year's playoffs.
"If Jake Evans wants to fight me, I'll answer the bell for sure," Scheifele said ahead of Tuesday's matchup between the Jets and Canadiens - the first meeting between the two clubs since the 2021 postseason.
Scheifele laid out Evans in the final minute of Game 1 of Round 2 as the Canadiens forward tried to seal the contest with an empty-netter.
Scheifele was suspended four games for the hit, a ban the 28-year-old called "excessive" at the time. Montreal swept Winnipeg in four games, making Tuesday's contest the Canadiens' first chance for retribution.
But Evans, who suffered a concussion on the play and missed Montreal's next nine games, doesn't appear to be seeking vengeance.
"For me, it was handled last year in the playoffs," the 25-year-old told reporters. "I think the best way to get back at someone is winning a series and not even letting them play, so for me, it's done with. Like I said, I'm just happy I'm healthy."
