Winnipeg Jets forward Vladislav Namestnikov left Sunday's game against the Colorado Avalanche after taking a slapshot to the side of the head. Namestnikov (7) scores on Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev (40) during the first period in Game 1 of their NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Winnipeg, Sunday, April 21, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Greenslade
DENVER – Winnipeg forward Vladislav Namestnikov was hospitalized Sunday after taking a slapshot to the side of the head during the third period of the Jets’ 5-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.
“Vladdy is at the hospital being looked at right now,” Jets coach Rick Bowness said after the game. “That’s all I have until we get a report from what they see, what is wrong.”
Namestnikov was in the slot when he was hit by a Nate Schmidt shot from the point. The puck was deflected by Colorado’s Andrew Cogliano.
Namestnikov was down on the ice for about a minute before heading to the locker-room via the Avalanche bench. The fourth-line centre skated off under his own power with trainers at his side.
He held a towel to his head to stop the bleeding.
The Avalanche led 4-1 at the time and later added an empty-net goal to secure a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Namestnikov had 37 points (11 goals, 26 assists) over 78 games for the Jets this past season. He has one goal over four playoff games.
Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday at Canada Life Centre.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 28, 2024.
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