Winnipeg Jets forward Vladislav Namestnikov sustained a fractured left cheek bone on Sunday after taking a deflected puck to the face, head coach Rick Bowness announced.
Namestnikov will fly to Winnipeg on Monday afternoon and has not been ruled out of Tuesday's pivotal Game , where the Jets are facing elimination down 3-1 in the series.
#NHLJets Bowness said Namestnikov suffered a fracture left cheekbone (no orbital bone damage) due to the deflected shot to his face on Sunday.
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNWpg) April 29, 2024
Namestnikov will fly to Winnipeg to Denver Monday afternoon and Bowness hasn’t ruled out his availability to play on Tuesday. @TSN_Edge
Namestnikov sustained the injury when he was hit by a Nate Schmidt shot from the point. The puck was deflected by Colorado's Andrew Cogliano. The 31-year-old was down on the ice for about a minute before heading to the locker-room under his own power, with trainers at his side.
He scored 11 goals and 37 points in 78 games for the Jets this season. He has one goal in four playoff games thus far.
Bowness also announced that defenceman Brenden Dillon will not play in Game 5 as he recovers from a cut on his left hand that he incurred in Game 3. "We don’t want to put him in harm’s way." Bowness said. Morgan Barron has not resumed skating and will not be available.
#NHLJets Bowness says Brenden Dillon will not play in Game 5 due to the cut on his left hand: “We don’t want to put him in harm’s way.” Barron (lower body injury) has not resumed skating so he is not available to play. @TSN_Edge
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNWpg) April 29, 2024
Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday in Winnipeg.
