Winnipeg Jets forward Vladislav Namestnikov sustained a fractured cheekbone when he was struck by a slap shot in Sunday’s Game 4 loss at Colorado.
Jets coach Rick Bowness confirmed the injury Monday but said Namestnikov has not been ruled out for a critical Game 5 of the Western Conference first-round series on Tuesday night in Winnipeg. The Avalanche lead the series 3-1.
“He’s a tough kid,” Bowness said.
Namestnikov, 31, was taken to a hospital for evaluation after being hit in the left side of his face by teammate Nate Schmidt’s shot midway through the third period Sunday. Trainers eventually helped him off the ice as he held a towel to his face.
“It’s scary,” teammate Mark Scheifele told reporters after the Jets’ 5-1 loss. “You never want to see that much blood, no matter what, no matter who it is. Especially a guy on our squad. That sucks. All you can is hope and pray that he’s OK. That’s a scary one. Just got to pray for him.”
Namestnikov has one goal in four games this series. He registered 37 points (11 goals, 26 assists) in 78 games during the regular season.
He has 298 points (126 goals, 172 assists) in 708 games over 11 seasons with seven teams. The Tampa Bay Lightning drafted Namestnikov in the first round (27th overall) in 2011.
–Field Level Media
