Pavelec goes under the knife

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This article was published 07/03/2017 (3112 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Ondrej Pavelec’s up-and-down season hit another speed bump Tuesday when the veteran goaltender underwent arthroscopic knee surgery that will sideline him for at least two or three weeks.

“He had a scope done (this morning) on the knee,” said Jets head coach Paul Maurice after Tuesday’s pre-game skate. “It went well. The normal window is two to three weeks for a player… but it’s a goalie, so I can’t tell you. He has to be able to get down into the butterfly, he’s got to be able to push across and be strong. It may be two, it may be four (weeks).”

Since recalling Pavelec from the AHL’s Manitoba Moose Jan. 18, Winnipeg has carried three goaltenders; Pavelec, Connor Hellebuyck and Michael Hutchinson.

Pavelec has not played since being injured in a game against the Minnesota Wild Feb. 7, and Hellebuyck started his 11th consecutive game Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks at the MTS Centre. The club has no plans to recall Moose goaltender Eric Comrie in the interim.

Maurice was asked to reflect on Pavelec’s time in Winnipeg, if indeed the pending unrestricted free agent has played his last game in a Jets uniform.

“I would wait till we got to a point that was definite and I’ll have an answer for you,” said Maurice, who would not rule out playing Pavelec again this season.

IT’S BEEN A GRIND

The brace on Shawn Matthias’ knee is a vivid reminder of the tough grind he’s been through this season.

After missing most of training camp with another injury, Matthias was sidelined for 25 games with a knee injury on Nov. 1.

“No surgery — just needed time,” said Matthias. “Some guys wear it the rest of their career but (I’ll wear it for) at least for another year…

“Lots of little bumps on the road this year. One really big injury, one kinda big and the other things you go through through the course of the season. But it’s been good, we’re right there fighting for a playoff spot.”

The club’s injury woes, Matthias said, are the worst he’s ever experienced. The only year that comes close was the lockout season in 2012-13, when Matthias was one of only four Florida Panthers to play all 48 regular-season games. It was the only complete season of Matthias’s NHL career.

In Winnipeg, he’s found good success on a grinding No. 3 unit with linemates Adam Lowry and Joel Armia. The trio, which specializes in a very effective cycling game, is not putting up huge offensive numbers. Matthias has seven goals and 11 points in 41 games.

“We all want to score but we have a big responsibility in our own end,” said Matthias. “We take a lot of defensive-zone draws, we’re on the penalty kill. We play a lot in our own end, getting the puck out… we still get a lot of (offensive) zone time when we’re out there.”

One benefit to playing in Winnipeg is his front-row seat to history, witnessing the rookie season of Finnish phenom Patrik Laine.

“With Patty, he wants to be the best and he’s motivated and he has every tool to be the best,” said Matthias. “It’s fun watching him every night. It’s a real treat to watch him in his rookie season to be as successful as he has been. He’s got a good head on his shoulders.”

MYERS PROGRESSING

Veteran defenceman Tyler Myers continued his rehabilitation from surgery for a lower-body injury, skating prior to his team’s morning workout.

Myers, who has missed 50 games, has been skating on alternate days and Maurice remained hopeful he could be ready for active duty sometime between the third week of March and the first week of April.

“We won’t know until we get right up to it, till he’s going every day and then it’s going to be how strong he feels,” Maurice said.

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @sawa14