The surging Winnipeg Jets are getting one of their biggest offensive weapons back with the return of leading goal-scorer Kyle Connor.
The Jets announced on game day that the 27-year-old left-winger is available for Winnipeg’s Tuesday game against the visiting New York Islanders.
Connor was a full participant in Winnipeg’s practice Monday for the first time since he was injured by a knee-on-knee hit by Ducks forward Ryan Strome in a 4-2 win at Anaheim on Dec. 10.
Despite missing more than a month of action, Connor remains the Jets’ leading goal-scorer with 17 in 26 games.
The Jets have excelled despite missing Connor’s production. Winnipeg (28-10-4) went 12-2-2 in the winger’s absence and entered Tuesday’s game leading the Central Division and two points back of idle Vancouver for top spot in the Western Conference.
The influx of offence will be welcome with Jets points leader Mark Scheifele out day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
The Jets said Tuesday that Scheifele, who has 14 goals and 27 assists for 41 points in 41 games, has been placed on the injured reserve retroactive to Friday to create a roster spot for Connor.
Scheifele didn’t play for the first time this season in the Jets’ 2-0 loss to Philadelphia on Saturday that ended an eight-game winning streak.
Connor has 226 goals and 226 assists in 492 career games with the Jets since Winnipeg selected him 17th overall at the 2015 NHL draft.