FROM THE PRESS BOX
MIKE SAYS: If past behaviour really is the best predictor of future behaviour, this could be a tough week for the Jets. The club has already paid visits to Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Salt Lake City earlier this season, going 0-3-0 and getting outscored 13-6 in the process.
Winnipeg can ill-afford to have recent hockey history repeat itself, not if they want to fend off the relentless Dallas Stars and keep top spot in the division. In that sense, this is a great litmus test for the team in addition to a chance for some revenge served ice cold.
I was at all three of those previous road games, while Kenny is on this current trip. If the Jets can flip the script, maybe the real issue was me?
In all seriousness, I think it’s a blessing in disguise that the Jets are going to be challenged down the final stretch here, both in terms of the quality of teams they have to face and by not having their position sewn up. I think it’s risky business when a team can essentially put on cruise control over the final weeks, then hopefully flip a switch once the playoffs begin.
The Washington Capitals may be experiencing some of that, as they are comfortably on top of their division and the Eastern Conference and not exactly lighting it up in recent games (0-2-1, outscored 15-9).
I’d expect tonight to be a low-scoring, low-event type of game, considering it involves the top two stingiest squads in the NHL.
The Jets lead the way by surrendering just 2.32 goals-per-game, while the Kings are just ahead of the Stars at 2.51. Hellebuyck would appear to be a lock to win a second straight William Jennings Trophy, in addition to the other hardware (Vezina Trophy for sure, and maybe a Hart Trophy) he could bring home.
Don’t look now but the Jets have snuck into the upper-half of the league when it comes to the penalty kill. It’s been trending in the right direction for several weeks and at 79.7 per cent overall sits 14th.
They have spent much of the year in the bottom tier — at times in the mid-20s — so that’s a positive development.
No doubt the additions of Luke Schenn and Brandon Tanev, who have never met a hockey puck they didn’t want to step in front of, have helped the cause.
KEN SAYS: Cole Perfetti’s highlight-reel, toe drag and top-shelf goal was the latest example of confidence oozing from the pores of the Jets’ winger. He’s up to 16 goals and 46 points, which leaves him sixth in scoring on the Jets.
Perfetti’s maturity has been on display all season long and his consistency during the stretch drive has been impressive to monitor.
During the past 23 games (since Jan. 26), Perfetti has recorded six goals and 12 assists for 18 points while also doing a great job of playing his best hockey when the checking is stiffest and the level of competition is on the rise.
Arniel reminded reporters after Sunday’s game that Perfetti missed out on this time of the year in both of his first two NHL seasons, so last season’s dry spell was more a matter of adjusting to the higher level of play.
Cole Perfetti (David Zalubowski / The Associated Press files)
Perfetti has clearly put the disappointment of being a frequent healthy stretch behind him. Not only has he blossomed into a primary point producer, he’s driving his line right now.
Jets left-winger Kyle Connor has one goal and four points in two games since becoming a first-time father. He’s also had ample success in his career against the Kings, notching seven goals and 19 points in 19 games. Connor hit 90 points for just the second time of his career on Sunday and he’s now within three points of equalling his career high in that category.
Kopitar loves to go up against the Jets, as he’s collected 17 goals and 39 points in 36 games against the franchise. By recording three assists against the Sharks, Kopitar has reached 60 points for the 16th time in his 19 NHL seasons.
Two of those campaigns that he didn’t hit the mark were shortened to 48 and 56 games respectively.
PROJECTED LINES
WINNIPEG JETS
FORWARDS:
- Connor-Scheifele-Iafallo
- Ehlers-Lowry-Appleton
- Niederreiter-Namestnikov-Perfetti
- Gustafsson-Barron-Tanev
DEFENCE:
- Morrissey-DeMelo
- Samberg-Schenn
- Stanley-Miller
GOAL:
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: D Fleury, D Heinola F Anderson-Dolan, G Driedger
INJURED: D Pionk (lower body), RW Vilardi (upper body), C Kupari (concussion)
LOS ANGELES KINGS
FORWARDS:
- Kuzmenko-Kopitar-Kempe
- Fiala-Byfield-Laferriere
- Foegle-Danault-Moore
- Malott-Helenius-Brown
DEFENCE:
- Anderson-Doughty
- Gavrikov-Spence
- Edmundsson-Clarke
GOAL:
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: D Burroughs, F Thomas, D Moverare
INJURED: F Turcotte (undisclosed), F Jeannot (undisclosed)
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
Jets captain Adam Lowry on facing the Kings:
“The challenge of playing a very patient, confident team in their structure is (figuring out) who is going to blink first. If you try and turn it into a rush game, they’ll hurt you because they’re very disciplined. They’ve got good rush defence and they’re good in transition.”
WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON
Ken is in Los Angeles and will handle the game story. He will also have an early feature on Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers.
Both stories will be appear on our website tonight or — depending how late the game runs — early tomorrow morning, while the Ehlers piece will appear in Wednesday’s print edition.
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