Forward Gabe Vilardi is expected to make his return to the Winnipeg Jets' lineup on Thursday evening.
The Winnipeg Jets will gain a major boost when they host the Edmonton Oilers from Canada Life Centre on Thursday.
Forward Gabe Vilardi is expected to make his return to action following the successful recovery from his sprained right MCL.
The first-year Jet suffered the injury back on October 17 in his first game against his old Los Angeles Kings teammates. L.A.'s Blake Lizotte tripped Vilardi, who fell backwards awkwardly on his knee, and immediately made his way off the ice. The incident happened in just his second shift of the game.
Having sat out until November 15, Vilardi began suiting up in a yellow non-contact practice sweater, before shedding that special jersey for a regular practice sweater last Friday.
"We are all awaiting his return," forward Kyle Connor said of Vilardi last week. "We kind of got a little tease of what it could be in the first couple games of the year and obviously in pre-season. So I'm excited as anybody to get him back and see what he can do, and what he can grow into as a part of this team."
Thursday is 44 days - or six weeks and two days - from the date of Vilardi's injury, which was initially diagnosed as a four-to-six week recovery.
According to associate coach Scott Arniel, Vilardi "looked good" last week, but the team needed to make sure his lungs could keep up with his rested legs before throwing him back into action.
"He'll do a little bit more of that as this week goes on, and then we'll see how he is and just take it day-to-day," Arniel said. "First, he has to feel comfortable with his knee, and the second thing is his conditioning, and it's a big one. We don't want to put him out there when he's not ready to go, or close to one hundred percent."
Vilardi, who was officially activated from Winnipeg’s injured reserve, is expected to suit up alongside Morgan Barron and David Gustafsson on Thursday vs. Edmonton.
