The forward is hopeful to make his debut in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs in an elimination game for Winnipeg, which trails 3-1 in the best-of-7 series.
Ehlers participated in the morning skate on Thursday, but when Rick Bowness was asked if he was confident he could play in Game 5, the Jets coach said it was not up to him.
"That's not my final call," Bowness said. "And again, we are not going to put a player out on the ice unless we know we are not going to put them in a vulnerable position. So we will let the doctors make that call."
He said if Ehlers receives medical clearance, it would come later in the day.
Ehlers also skated hard during practice here Wednesday, including time on the power play, which he has not had since sustaining an upper-body injury April 11.
His return would be a boon for the Jets, who will be without forward Mark Scheifele after he sustained an upper-body injury during a 4-2 loss in Game 4 on Monday. Scheifele, who led Winnipeg with 42 goals in the regular season, is still impeded by some range-of-motion issues. If those issues continue to improve, Bowness said Scheifele could potentially return should the Jets win Game 5.
Ehlers has been trying to play since Game 1 but has yet to receive medical clearance. Teams that trail 3-1 in an NHL best-of-7 series hold an all-time record of 31-299.
"Like I said, I feel good, " he said Wednesday. "I don't think I was good enough to play the first few games. I know I said I was, but I hadn't really been on the ice, yet. Looking back now, that wouldn't have ended well. I feel a lot better now."
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Ehlers doesn't replace Scheifele, but if he can contribute, it would provide a boost for the Jets offensively. He could also potentially help the top power-play unit, which is already missing Scheifele and defenseman Josh Morrissey, who sustained a lower-body injury in Game 3 and has been ruled out for the remainder of the series.
Ehlers had 38 points (12 goals, 26 assists) in 45 regular-season games.
"I think everybody in the world can answer that question," Winnipeg forward Kyle Connor said when asked what Ehlers could bring. "If you've seen him play, he can skate like the wind, controls the play, possession. So yeah, obviously a no-brainer he is going to [provide] a bump for us."
However, Ehlers said he's interested to see how quickly he can adapt to the speed and intensity of the Stanley Cup Playoffs should he return for Game 5.
"I won't get up to speed until I play a game," Ehlers said. "You can practice as much as you want, you won't get that same feeling out there as you would in a game. I'll do my best."
Bowness says Ehlers was playing his best hockey at the time of the injury. Entering April 11, he had seven points (three goals, four assists) in the previous five games.
"We all wish we could skate one day in our lives like he can skate," Bowness said, chuckling. "But yeah, he looked great out there today."
Winnipeg has also been playing without forward Cole Perfetti, who has not played since Feb. 19 because of an upper-body injury and remains in a non-contact jersey during practice. Goalie David Rittich (lower body) is out for Game 5.
The injured skaters -- Morrissey, Ehlers, Scheifele and Perfetti -- combined for 212 points (78 goals, 134 assists) in the regular season.
The Golden Knights, meanwhile, have dressed the same 18 skaters in each of the first four games of the series.
That group could become stronger and deeper should William Carrier return. The forward skated with the main practice group Wednesday and is also a game-time decision. Carrier had 25 points (16 goals, nine assists) and was plus-15 in 56 games during the regular season. He hasn't played since March 3.
"He checked another box today by practicing with the group," Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said Wednesday. "That was going to be the next drill for him. He was skating with the extra guys when we were in Winnipeg. He's progressing well. We'll find out if there are any setbacks or anything going on with him tomorrow morning from today's practice.
"At the end of the day, if he feels good, he may play. I'm not saying he will be in."
