Winnipeg Jets defenseman Neal Pionk has been labelled week-to-week with a lower-body injury.
The Jets defenseman has played in 66 games for the Jets this season, but will miss his first game tonight against the Dallas Stars. In those 66 games, the 29-year-old has recorded nine goals and 37 points.
No specific return date or length of absence has been given for Pionk which could affect his chance of setting career-highs in goals and points, which he was on pace to do so.
HC Scott Arniel told the media that the injury has been nagging Pionk, hence why the two practices he missed were declared maintenance days. The injury has reached a point where Pionk is unable to play through it and will take the time needed to recover, hopefully before the start of the playoffs.
Nikolaj Ehlers had missed two practices as well but was a full participant this morning, and will be in the lineup tonight. Replacing Pionk on the back end will be Colin Miller. He was removed in place of Luke Schenn and Haydn Fleury, but will make his way back alongside Fleury.
Schenn will be playing in just his second game as a Jet, but will be moved to the second pairing to play next to Dylan Samberg. The pair of big and heavy defensemen should mesh well together and form a shutdown pairing.
Tonight's fixture against the Stars will be a difficult test but could prove to be a vital game when the playoffs roll around.
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