Winnipeg Jets News

With Vladislav Namestnikov day-to-day with a lower-body injury, Gustafsson will draw back into the lineup for his 18th game. Gustafsson has two points (2G / 0A) while averaging 8:35 time-on-ice this season, playing predominantly with Rasmus Kupari and Morgan Barron.

Hellebuyck allowed a weak goal from Darnell Nurse late in the third period, ending his shutout bid in an eventual 3-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday. Despite losing two consecutive starts, Hellebuyck has been tremendous lately, allowing only 11 total goals in his last six games (4-2-0), posting a stellar .941 SV%. Hellebuyck will look to improve on those totals in a favourable matchup Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks, who have lost seven of their last nine (2-7-0) and rank third-worst in the league offensively (2.57 GF / GP).

Namestnikov exited Thursday's game against the Edmonton Oilers, playing only 11:53, after an awkward collision with Darnell Nurse and will miss Saturday's game vs. Chicago as he is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Namestnikov had been playing with Alex Iafallo and Cole Perfetti on the Jets' second line, but his status is out Saturday and doubtful Monday. He has 11 points (2G / 9A) in 22 games this season.

Hellebuyck played well in a goalie-duel on Tuesday but ultimately came up short, allowing two goals on 21 shots (.905 SV%), losing 2-0 to Jake Oettinger and the Dallas Stars. Despite his most recent loss, Hellebuyck has been on a different level lately, allowing two or fewer goals in each of his last four starts (3-1-0), recording a tremendous .948 SV%. That said, Hellebuyck and the Jets will have one of their tougher tests to date as +105 home underdogs against the Edmonton Oilers, who have won three straight and outscored their opposition 18-6.

Vilardi has not played since October 17th, the third game of the season, when he suffered an MCL sprain. His status for Thursday's game against the Edmonton Oilers remains to be determined but he would add a noticeable offensive punch to a Jets team that already ranks eighth in the league offensively (3.38 GF / GP). Before his injury, Vilardi was seeing deployment on the top powerplay unit, a spot he would likely reclaim in favour of Cole Perfetti.

Di Giuseppe has dressed in every Canuck game this season but will be the odd man out Tuesday vs. Anaheim as Cole McWard makes his season debut. The 30-year-old left-winger has been enjoying his most productive career season to date with his three goals, five assists, 30 SOG, 13 PIMs and +5 plus/minus in 22 games this season.

Hellebuyck has been tremendous lately and will look for his fifth consecutive victory when he starts on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars. After an uncharacteristically poor start to the season, registering a .890 SV% in his first nine games (5-3-1), Hellebuyck has flipped the switch and returned to his Vezina-caliber form, posting a .933 SV% in his six games since (5-1-0). The Jets are slight +109 home underdogs against a Stars team that defeated them 3-2 on November 11th.

Vilardi has not played since October 17th due to a sprained MCL but appears to be nearing his return as he participated in practice on Tuesday. Cole Perfetti has been the main benefactor of Vilardi's injury, replacing him on the top powerplay unit. It is unclear if Vilardi will retake his spot on the powerplay, but if he does, it will likely have a great impact on Perfetti's production, as he has scored 16 points (7G / 9A) in the 17 games Vilardi has not been in the lineup.

Comrie will take the crease for the first time in four games as he takes on New Jersey on the road Saturday. The 28-year-old has struggled as Buffalo's third goaltender this season, with his 1-2-0 record, 2.62 GAA, and .898 SV%. He will take on the New Jersey Devils, who are trying to right the ship after three straight loses and are 12th in the NHL in goals per game.

Hellebuyck is coming off a stellar performance, saving 31 of 33 shots (.939 SV%) in a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday. After a shaky start to the season, in which Hellebuyck posted a .890 SV% in nine games (5-3-0), he has looked more like himself recently with a .918 SV% in his last five games (4-1-0). The Jets will have their hands full on Friday as +124 road underdogs against a Florida Panthers team that is second in the Atlantic division and is 7-2-0 in their last nine games.

Hellebuyck is coming off a stellar performance, saving 31 of 33 shots (.939 SV%) in a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday. After a shaky start to the season, in which Hellebuyck posted a .890 SV% in nine games (5-3-0), he has looked more like himself recently with a .918 SV% in his last five games (4-1-0). The Jets will have their hands full on Friday as +124 road underdogs against a Florida Panthers team that is second in the Atlantic division and is 7-2-0 in their last nine games.