Winnipeg Jets defenseman Neal Pionk is out week-to-week with a lower-body injury, as per head coach Scott Arniel.
Pionk, who has looked hampered this week and missed the past three practices, has been playing through the injury for a while and the organization has decided to take care of it now so he’s ready for the postseason.
The 29-year-old has had something of a renaissance season in the last year of his four-year deal. Skating on the second pairing primarily with Dylan Samberg, he’s recorded nine goals and 28 assists for 37 points and a plus-21 rating while averaging 22:09 in ice time in 66 games. His ice time is the most since his rookie 2017-18 season with the New York Rangers.
Pionk has been extremely durable for the Jets as the last time he missed any games with injury was during the 2021-22 season.
At Friday morning’s pre-game skate, veteran trade deadline acquisition Luke Schenn skated line rushes in Pionk’s place, jumping up from the third pairing he skated on in his Jets debut Tuesday. Haydn Fleury and Colin Miller comprised the third pairing.
Related: Get to Know Jets’ Trade Deadline Additions Luke Schenn & Brandon Tanev
The Jets host the Dallas Stars tonight in a highly-anticipated and pivotal matchup between the Central Division’s two best teams. If the Jets win, they will be 10 points clear of the Stars for the Divisional- and Western-Conference lead, while a Stars win would pull them within six points. The Stars hold two games in hand over the Jets.