(Denver) Winnipeg Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon will miss Sunday’s game against the Colorado Avalanche with a left hand injury.
Dillon suffered a nasty cut from a skate blade during a scrimmage late in Game 3 Friday, which the Jets lost 6-2 at Denver.
Jets head coach Rick Bowness said he hopes Dillon will be able to play in Game 5 on Tuesday in Winnipeg.
“Luckily there’s absolutely no damage, but unfortunately there’s a lot of stitches holding it all together,” Bowness said during a brief media scrum before Sunday’s game.
“So our doctors are a little hesitant to give it the green light so quickly,” Bowness added. If we asked [à Dillon], he would play. He would put a bandage on the whole hand and play. His desire is high at this point. But he will be absent today. »
The Jets will try to tie the series at two wins on Sunday at Ball Arena.
Logan Stanley will replace Dillon in the lineup for the Jets, who won the first game of the series four of seven before losing the next two.
Dillon has collected three assists since the start of the current series. In the regular season, he scored eight goals and added 12 assists in 77 games.
The Jets will also bring in speedy forward Axel Jonsson-Fjallby to replace David Gustafsson.
“We’re just trying to add some speed to our lineup. We are playing against a very fast club,” noted Bowness.
The Avalanche offense has been firing on all cylinders since the start of the series, dominating the Jets 17-11 in goals scored.
“I still believe we can play better than we did in the first three games, although I like our effort, our [niveau] competitiveness and many other things that we have done since the start of the series,” said Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar.
“I still believe we can take our game to the next level. »
If a sixth game is necessary, it will take place Thursday night in Denver.