FROM THE PRESS BOX
MIKE SAYS: The Jets played arguably their worst game of the season against the Kings back on Nov. 27, a 4-1 loss at Crypto.com Arena in which they generated just 14 shots on goal.
Los Angeles is among the best at suppressing offensive chances, so Winnipeg will have its hands full tonight to say the least.
Vegas leads the NHL with a .720 point percentage, with Washington (.707) in second. Right behind them are the Jets (.690) and the Kings (.671) at third and fourth overall.
“Those top guys have obviously created a culture within that team and certainly they’re committed to playing at both ends of the ice,” said Morrissey.
“It’s never an easy night, and obviously they’ve got lots of talent. When you look at what they’ve been doing, we didn’t feel we had our best game in their arena. We feel like we’d like to play our best against them, and get their best, and obviously have a better competition.”
I was at that game in Los Angeles, a city I’ve always loved visiting, and the stories and images coming out of there this week are truly heartbreaking. This is the start of a five-game road trip for the Kings, who are dealing with plenty of emotions right now.
“We feel so bad for the people who have lost homes, had to be evacuated. It’s truly like nothing we have seen before, certainly me, being a part of that,” coach Jim Hiller said this morning.
“The men and women on the frontlines are courageous. We have watched it on TV, that’s as close as we have gotten to that. They are fighting, saving lives, saving homes, we just want to make sure that even though we are not back in town, we are still thinking about what is going on back there. We really want to acknowledge all the tragedy that is going on. It has been hard for everybody.”
It does put things in perspective.
Here in Jets-land, it seems the biggest issue right now is the debate about Stanley staying in the lineup after a rough game against Nashville and Heinola coming out after a solid effort.
Personally, I’m tired about the discourse over the sixth defencemen. Clearly, the decision-makers believe Stanley currently gives them a better chance to win — nobody is trying to lose hockey games here — and whether you agree with or not, it’s their decision to make.
Winnipeg Jets defenceman Logan Stanley (Paul Vernon / The Associated Press files)
KEN SAYS: Could this be the night the Jets’ second line gets back on track? We shall soon see. It hasn’t been for a lack of effort and they’re not giving up much defensively, but the five-on-five production has gone quiet for the trio of Vladislav Namestnikov, Cole Perfetti and Nikolaj Ehlers.
Ehlers has seven points during the past seven games (though four of those have come on the power play), Namestnikov has one assist in seven games and Perfetti has gone seven games without a point. When clicking on all cylinders, the line can be dangerous but they have another level they need to reach.
It’s been a remarkably consistent start to the campaign for Comrie, though his results don’t suggest that.
After winning his first three starts, he’s lost his next six — but that’s more a matter of a lack of offensive support than any difference in his play. Comrie’s save percentage is above league average (.904 compared to .900) and while he’d like to get his goals-against average under 3, he’s done his part to give his team a chance to win despite often playing under difficult circumstances.
Several Jets players have spoken in recent days and weeks about Comrie deserving better and you can be sure they’d love to deliver the type of effort that helps him get back into the win column here.
The Kings are having an outstanding season under Jim, who has shown why it was the smart decision to remove the interim tag and make him head coach. What’s even more remarkable is the job the Kings defence has done despite being without Drew Doughty all season with an ankle injury.
“A lot of guys have stepped up — the young guys as well — offensively or defensively, everyone has stepped up their game after (losing) a star player like this,” said Kings centre Phillip Danault. “Pretty solid defensively.”
Kings captain Anze Kopitar continues to lead his team both on and off the ice, recording 12 goals and 39 points in 38 games this season. Along with his exceptional two-way play, he’s also been difficult for the Jets to contain over the years, as he’s notched 17 goals and 38 points in 35 career games against them.
PROJECTED LINES
WINNIPEG JETS
FORWARDS:
- Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi
- Ehlers-Namestnikov-Perfetti
- Niederreiter-Lowry-Iafallo
- Barron-Gustafsson-Kupari
DEFENCE:
- Morrissey-DeMelo
- Samberg-Pionk
- Stanley-Coghlan
GOAL:
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: D Heinola, F Toninato
INJURED: D Miller (fractured larynx), D Fleury (lower body), F Appleton (lower body)
LOS ANGELES KINGS
FORWARDS:
- Turcotte-Kopitar-Kempe
- Moore-Byfield-Foegle
- Fiala-Danault-Laferriere
- Jeannot-Helenius-Lewis
DEFENCE:
- Anderson-Gavrikov
- Edmundson-Clarke
- Moverare-Spence
GOAL:
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: F Thomas, D Englund
INJURED: D Doughty (ankle)
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
Jets coach Scott Arniel on players wanting to get a win for Eric Comrie, who has lost six straight outings:
“They talk about it a lot. That’s the one tough part about being a backup. You’re getting all of the crap games, the tough ones. The four (games) in six (days), the back-to-backs, the tough travel ones.
“He’s given us a chance to win every game. He really has. With some of the situations we’ve put him in, he deserves better.”
WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON
It’s a busy day on the beat. Ken spent some time over the past few weeks speaking with several Jets players about their tools of the trade, and the result is an in-depth feature.
Ken and Mike are also teaming up for their weekly Dump & Chase column, which will lead with a look at Connor Hellebuyck who will be celebrated tonight for becoming just the 30th goaltender in NHL history with at least 500 games played, 300 victories and 40 shutouts.
The guys will also reveal their ballots for Winnipeg’s quarter-century team, which will be released later today by the NHL.
Mike will then handle game duties for Jets vs. Kings. You can find all three pieces on our website and in Saturday’s print edition.
|
