Winnipeg Jets forward Gabriel Vilardi is making his return from injury against the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night.
Vilardi, 24, hasn't played since Oct. 17 when he suffered a sprained MCL in a game against the Los Angeles Kings.
The incident occurred when Vilardi was hit along the boards by Kings forward Blake Lizotte. On Wednesday, Vilardi took aim at his ex-teammate over the injury.
"It was a play that doesn't need to happen," Vilardi said. "I’ve played with him a lot. He’s done a lot of little things like that. It’s stuff that you guys say it was an awkward fall; it wasn’t an awkward fall. It’s someone pushing your feet out from the back, when he gets caught under me and then he tackles me. It’s that simple."
Head coach Rick Bowness said ahead of Thursday's matchup that the decision to play Vilardi would be left up to the forward himself: "He has to make sure he feels he’s ready to go."
The Kingston, Ont., native had a breakout season in 2022-23, notching 23 goals and 41 points in 63 games.
He was selected 11th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft by the Kings.
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