Video: Frightening Moment As Jets' Namestnikov Takes Slapshot To Face

Things have already gotten ugly for the Winnipeg Jets in their first-round series with the Colorado Avalanche, but they took another turn for the worse on Sunday afternoon when forward Vlad Namestnikov was struck in the face by a slapshot.

Scary moment as Vlad Namestnikov is struck in the head by a slap shot and exits the game pic.twitter.com/mcUqJJcpBu

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 28, 2024

The 31-year-old tried to jump out of the way, but was hit in the face by the Nate Schmidt drive. Officials and players immediately signalled to the bench for medical help. Namestnikov was attended to and taken off the ice and down the tunnel. From there, it was off to a Denver hospital.

Winnipeg coach Rick Bowness said Vlad Namestnikov went to hospital for treatment after being hit by a shot.

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) April 28, 2024

It's the second straight game that the Jets have lost a veteran player to an ugly-looking injury, as Brenden Dillon suffered a gaping wound on his hand during a fight Friday night, and did not play in Sunday's Game 4.  

The Jets wound up dropping the game 5-1 to the Avs; Colorado now has a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.  

Namestnikov tallied 11 goals and 26 assists for 37 points in 78 games this season in 14:28 of ice time per night, with a solid plus-minus rating of +17. 

Photo: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports