Jets’ Vilardi Out Week-to-Week With Upper-Body Injury

Winnipeg Jets’ forward Gabriel Vilardi is out week-to-week with an upper-body injury, as per head coach Scott Arniel.

Vilardi suffered the injury, described as “freak,” in Sunday’s 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. It is not connected to the puck he took to the face in the first period that required stitches and his playoff readiness is undetermined, TSN’s John Lu reported.

Being without Vilardi for potentially the rest of the regular season and into the postseason would be a huge blow to the Jets, who are trying to stay in first in the Central Division and Western Conference. Vilardi has been a fixture as the Jets’ top-line right winger alongside Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor and a key member of the first power-play unit.

The 25 year old has set new career highs in goals (27) assists, (34) and points (61) in 71 games this season, but unfortunately, his durability has once again proven to be his Achilles’ heel. The injury is just the latest in a long string he’s suffered throughout his career and will prevent him from having his first-ever completely-healthy campaign.

Alex Iafallo took line rushes in Vilardi’s place Monday. He has primarily played a fourth-line role this season but has jumped up to the top six as needed.

The Jets are back in action tomorrow in the second game of their four-game homestand when they welcome the Washington Capitals to Canada Life Centre.