Winnipeg Jets lose key defenseman to injury days before playoffs begin

The Winnipeg Jets have been one of the top teams in the NHL all season long and now they need just one more point to secure the President's trophy.

The team has just two opportunities left to get that point, tonight's game against the Edmonton Oilers and their season finale against the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday.

That will be far from the first thing on the mind of fans tonight however as the team has already clinched the top seed in the Western Conference, which is what matters the most in the playoffs.

Rather, that would be the health of defenseman Dylan Samberg, who left during the second period after blocking a Connor McDavid one-timer that hit him in the left leg.

Adding insult to injury, the referees elected to allow the play to continue despite Samberg being in obvious distress, and the Oilers would score to take the lead.

Understandably, Jets fans were not happy with the officials following the sequence as Samberg clearly was not faking anything.

Notably, the referees do have the authority to stop the play immediately when it is obvious that a player is in serious distress.

That being said, the result of this game likely will not matter so really, Jets fans should direct their anger at their own head coach for putting Samberg in the lineup at all.

After all, this is the time of year important players tend to get rest specifically to avoid situations like these.

Perhaps Scott Arniel should have taken a page out of Josh Morrissey's book to protect his players.

Samberg has just 6 goals and 20 points through 56 games this season, but he is arguably the team's best defensive defenseman, and boasted a +35 rating prior to the injury.

Hopefully the result is not as bad as it looks and he will be able to return to the lineup in time for the playoffs.