Jets’ Scheifele expected to play vs. Sharks, Namestnikov week-to-week

The Winnipeg Jets got some good and bad news on the injury front on Saturday.

For the good news, Scott Arniel said that star forward Mark Scheifele is expected to play on Sunday against the San Jose Sharks.

Scheifele, who exited from Friday’s overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks, was absent from practice on Saturday with what Arniel described as a maintenance day.

The 32-year-old forward appeared to suffer an injury at the end of overtime, favouring his right leg as he left the ice. In 58 games this season, the Kitchener, Ont., native has 27 goals and 70 points.

On the other side of things, Arniel said that Vladislav Namestnikov is out week-to-week with a lower-body injury he suffered against the Ducks.

Namestnikov was injured after he was tripped, causing him to collide with teammate Adam Lowry late in the second period.

The 33-year-old skated off on his own power, but went straight to the locker room for further evaluation.

Namestnikov, in his 13th NHL season and fourth in Winnipeg, has seven goals and 13 points in 56 games for the Jets this season.

Forward Nino Niederreiter is also week-to-week after undergoing lower-body surgery, Arniel added.

After Friday’s loss, the Jets sit eight points out of the final wild-card spot in the West with a 23-26-9 record.