Vilardi has not played since late March but will likely make his 2024-25 postseason debut on Wednesday in Game 5 against the St. Louis Blues. The Jets have lost two straight, evening their series at 2-2, and will rely on Vilardi to provide some much-needed offense. The 25-year-old Vilardi was having a tremendous season for the Jets before his injury, scoring 61 points (27G / 34A) in 71 games.
DeMelo was a surprise scratch for Game 3, with the Jets not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Colin Miller will draw into the lineup in his place.
Heading to St. Louis with a 2-0 series lead, Winnipeg will of course stick with the reigning Vezina Trophy winner between the pipes on Thursday. After a mediocre 2025 playoff debut in Game 1, Hellebuyck silenced any remaining doubters in the second game of the series, allowing just a single goal on 22 shots. The Jets will look to grab a commanding 3-0 series lead on Thursday and remain slight favourites despite not having the home ice. They enter action at -130 on the money line.
Skinner had a forgetful performance in Game 1, allowing the game-deciding goal late in the third period, one of the six he allowed on 30 shots (.800 SV%) in the 6-5 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. The 26-year-old Skinner will return to the crease for Game 2 on Wednesday. He saw limited action in the previous month, recovering from an injury, but played phenomenally in his final two regular season games (2-0-0), posting a 0.50 GAA, .972 SV%, and one shutout. The Oilers enter Game 2 as +112 road underdogs against the Kings.
Up 2-0 in the first-round series against the St. Louis Blues, the Jets are taking a cautious approach with returning Vilardi to the lineup. Vilardi appears to be nearing a return but without a rush to insert him into to the lineup, the Jets will likely wait until Vilardi returns to 100% health before proceeding with full-contact practices. The 25-year-old Vilardi was having a tremendous season for the Jets before his injury, scoring 61 points (27G / 34A) in 71 games.
Up 2-0 in the first-round series against the St. Louis Blues, the Jets likely will not insert Vilardi into the lineup until he is fully healed. Given his up-in-the-air status for Game 3, Vilardi's health is likely near perfect as his return to the lineup seems to be on the imminent horizon. The 25-year-old Vilardi was having a tremendous season for the Jets before his injury, scoring 61 points (27G / 34A) in 71 games.
The Jets will of course stick with the reigning Vezina Trophy winner between the pipes for Game 2. Hellebuyck did not turn in his best performance in Game 1, allowing three goals on just 17 shots, but still managed to come away with the 5-3 victory. The 31-year-old netminder finished the regular season with an astounding 47-12-3 record and a .925 SV%. Winnipeg enters action on Monday as sizable favourites at -190 on the money line.
Skinner saw limited action in the previous month, recovering from an injury, but played two games in the final week and was outstanding (2-0-0), posting a 0.50 GAA, .972 SV%, and one shutout. He will be between the pipes for Game 1 on Monday against a Los Angeles Kings team he was excellent against in two contests this season (1-0-1), posting a 1.95 GAA and .932 SV%. The Oilers enter Game 1 as +114 road underdogs against the Kings.
Pionk has tied a career-high with 10 goals this season and has been rewarded with a six-year, $42-million contract extension ($7.0M AAV). The 29-year-old defenseman has tallied 216 points (37G / 179A) in 435 games over six season with Winnipeg. He recently returned from a month-long absence due to injury and has picked up where he left off, with two points (1G / 1A) in three games.
The Jets have already clinched the Presidents' Trophy and will turn to Hellebuyck between the pipes for their final game this season. Hellebuyck struggled in his most recent outing, saving 28 of 32 shots (.875 SV%) in a 5-4 shootout win over the Chicago Blackhawks, but remains the odds-on favorite for the Vezina Trophy. The 31-year-old Hellebuyck has an outstanding 2.02 GAA and .924 SV% in 62 games this season (46-12-3). The Jets enter Wednesday's season finale as sizeable -272 home favorites against an Anaheim Ducks team that lost 3-2 to the Minnesota Wild in overtime last night.
The Oilers are coming off a one-side 5-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings and hope to end the season on a positive note, turning to Skinner between the pipes on Wednesday against the San Jose Sharks. The 26-year-old Skinner was solid in his most recent outing, saving 17 of 18 shots (.944 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets. He has a 2.87 GAA and .894 SV% in 50 games this season (25-18-4). The Oilers enter Wednesday's contest as sizeable -219 road favorites against the last-place Sharks.
