FROM THE PRESS BOX
MIKE SAYS: They may walk like a Duck and talk like a Duck, but make no mistake: This is not the same Anaheim team we’ve grown accustomed to seeing near the bottom of the NHL standings.
The future is now for this young club, which has taken the league by storm early in this new season. Not only are they very good, they’re also highly entertaining.
Arniel wasn’t kidding when he said on Friday night that the Jets are in for a world of hurt if they don’t bring a better version of themselves into the Duck Pond.
Speaking of the bench boss, the last time I heard him so angry following a game was last January in Salt Lake City.
The Jets had just lost a stinker to the Utah No-Names (now the Mammoth) are Arniel was seeing red.
He called out his club pointedly and publicly, then essentially dropped the mic and walked away from our chat.
It was clear Arniel called a timeout on himself, not wanting to go any further and say something he might regret.
How did the Jets respond to that shaming? By going on an eight-game heater. No doubt Arniel is hoping for something similar this time around.
You have to think old friend Jacob Trouba is loving life these days.
The New York Rangers decided they no longer wanted him around and eventually pulled the trigger on a trade last season which, at the time, may have seemed like an expulsion.
After all, he was leaving a team viewed as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender to join one that appeared to be in the early stages of a long-term rebuild. Well, life moves fast, doesn’t it. The Rangers are now a mess, and the Ducks are flying high.
And Trouba is playing a huge part. The former Jets defenceman has 10 points (4G, 6A) in 14 games and is an incredible plus-16. He’s also taken just one minor penalty and is also proving to be a valuable mentor to the talented kids on the team.
KEN SAYS: There’s no denying this matchup is taking on more significance than one might have predicted going into the campaign.
The Jets are clearly looking for a response against a high-octane team that is firing on all cylinders and coming off an emotional victory in Las Vegas that extended an already lengthy winning streak.
With just one goal scored during the past two games, the Jets will be looking to generate a bit more offence but the greater concern will be clamping down in the D-zone, as they gave up 13 high-danger chances against the Sharks, according to Natural Stat Trick.
That number needs to drop if the Jets want to avoid losing three straight for the first time this season.
The Jets have made a habit of responding to challenges during the past several seasons and this is another opportunity to do so.
The return of Perfetti is a big addition for the Jets, even if it’s likely going to take him a few games to get back up to speed.
Coming into the season, Perfetti was going to be counted on to take another step forward and be an offensive play driver on the second line.
The expectation is that because of their hockey intelligence and vision, Perfetti and Toews should mesh well and could be capable of some impressive things together.
Perfetti is also expected to be promoted to the top power play unit this season, which should only help increase his offensive production.
They’ve been led offensively by 2023 second overall pick Leo Carlsson, as the Swedish centre has eight goals and 23 points in 14 games (including two goals and an assist on the OT winner from Trouba on Saturday).
Left-winger Chris Kreider is also showing that reports of his demise have been greatly exaggerated, as he’s got nine goals and 10 points in 10 games with his new team after he was shipped out by the New York Rangers several months after Trouba.
PROJECTED LINES
WINNIPEG JETS
FORWARDS
- Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi
- Namestnikov-Toews-Perfetti
- Niederreiter-Lowry-Iafallo
- Pearson-Ford-Chibrikov
DEFENCE:
- Morrissey-DeMelo
- Stanley-Pionk
- Fleury-Schenn
GOAL:
INJURED: D Samberg (wrist), F Barron (mid-body), F Nyquist (undisclosed), F Koepke (undisclosed)
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: D Miller, F Lambert
ANAHEIM DUCKS
FORWARDS:
- Kreider-Carlsson-Terry
- Gauthier-McTavish-Sennecke
- Nesterenko-Poehling-Killorn
- Johnston-Harkins-Vatrano
DEFENCE:
- Lacombe-Helleson
- Zellweger-Trouba
- Mintyukov-Moore
GOAL:
INJURED: D Gudas (lower body), C Strome (upper body), F Granlund (lower body)
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: F Colangelo
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
Jets forward Cole Perfetti to reporters in Anaheim on the hot start for the Ducks:
“They’ve got a good blend of young guys, older guys. They’re getting contributions from all around. Luckily for us, our strength is our team defence and our structure. If we stick to that, we’ll get our chances. They like to play a fast style, run and gun. They get a lot of offence from that, but if we can frustrate them, eliminate that and take that away, then we’ll get our looks.”
WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON
Ken will be providing game analysis off the television one final time before being in the building for the final three games of the road trip in Vancouver, Seattle and Calgary.
With the late start, you can find the piece online at winnipegfreepress.com. Plus, a friendly reminder the Jets monthly mailbag for November is open, so send your questions to Mike and Ken at your convenience either by email or on social media.
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