After colliding with an official in Saturday’s game, Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers is week-to-week with a right foot injury as the Presidents’ Trophy winners prepare for the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Following Saturday’s 5-4 shootout win over the host Chicago Blackhawks, Winnipeg coach Scott Arniel said the 29-year-old Ehlers aggravated the lower-body injury he suffered earlier in the season.
“They just ran into each other,” Arniel said. “It was a tough play, especially to lose him on that situation. It wasn’t a blocked shot. … It was a freak accident.”
In his 10th season, all with the Jets, Ehlers is a key piece of the offense with 63 points (24 goals, 39 assists) in 69 games. The No. 9 overall pick in the 2014 draft has 520 career points (225 goals, 295 assists) in 674 games.
Ehles’ teammate, forward Gabriel Vilardi (undisclosed injury), has been upgraded to day-to-day in his recovery, Arniel said Tuesday. Vilardi, 25, had been week-to-week after a March 23 injury, but skated Tuesday on his own. In 71 games this season, he has 61 points (27 goals, 34 assists).
Arniel added that defenseman Dylan Samberg is fine after suffering an apparent injury on a blocked shot in Sunday’s 4-1 home loss to the Edmonton Oilers. The 26-year-old Samberg, who has 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) in 59 games this season, practiced Tuesday.
Before facing the lower of the two wild-card teams in the first round, Arniel said the Jets plan to play their regulars in Wednesday’s regular-season finale at home against the Anaheim Ducks. Winnipeg is one point shy of setting a franchise record with 115 points this season.
–Field Level Media
