Jets fall 4-1 to Ducks, leave California empty-handed

The Winnipeg Jets are leaving California empty-handed.

After dropping the first two games of this six-game road trip, the Jets ran into the juggernaut known as the Anaheim Ducks and fell 4-1 on Sunday night at Honda Center.

As the Jets lost three consecutive games for the first time this season and slipped to 9-6-0 overall, the Ducks extended their winning streak to seven games as they continue to lead the Pacific Division.

The Ducks scored twice at even strength and added a pair of power-play markers and exposed a few cracks in the Jets defensive structure, leading to a number of odd-man rushes and Grade A scoring chances.

Arniel held individual meetings with his players in Anaheim on Saturday, identifying the expectations for each player.

The expectation was that the Jets would begin to show a few more signs of their identity and buckle down defensively, but instead, it was another outing where they didn’t pay close enough attention to the details.

“The idea is to build,” Arniel told reporters after the game in Anaheim. “It’s to build it shift to shift, period to period. And we just haven’t done enough of that this year. And then the last stretch here, these three games out on the road, there hasn’t been enough consistency.

“That’s just something that we talked about. It’s a mindset. It’s outworking the opposition. It’s making the right decisions. And the last part of it is execution. Our execution, at times, wasn’t where we needed it to be.”

The Jets have been held to just two goals during the past three games, but the larger issue relates to their play without the puck.

The loss of defenceman Dylan Samberg is certainly being felt, but this isn’t about injuries or focusing on anyone currently sidelined.

Quite simply, the Jets need to defend better as a group and that’s going to be the top priority as this road swing continues on Tuesday against the Vancouver Canucks.

Let’s take a look at what else transpired in this one:

THE RETURN – The Jets got another boost to their lineup on Sunday as forward Cole Perfetti made his season debut against the Ducks.

After missing the first 14 games with a high ankle sprain, Perfetti jumped into the lineup on the second line with Jonathan Toews and Vladislav Namestnikov. Perfetti was also used on the top power play unit, finishing the game with 22 shifts for 17:59 of ice time, recording one shot on goal and six shot attempts.

“I’ve played multiple years now with Vladdy, so we know what to expect from one another with how we play,” Perfetti told reporters in Anaheim after the morning skate. “I got a lot of time with (Toews) for the first month of camp, so the familiarity is there and we’re comfortable with one another. They’ve two veteran guys that are going to be able to help me out when needed.”

Perfetti was held off the scoresheet, but was whistled for an interference minor during the second period.

“He’s a player that’s been here and adds another offensive element for us,” Arniel told reporters. “It’s good to have him back.”

Perfetti understands it’s going to take some time to get back up to speed.

“When you miss a month, you’re going to be off a little bit, with your timing, to start,” Perfetti told reporters in Anaheim. “It might not be perfect right away, but that’s part of coming back. Paying attention to the details and the little things and doing all the small things right. Obviously, it will take care of itself from there.”

Once Perfetti gets rolling, there’s a lot of interest in how he’s going to mesh with Toews, given the hockey intelligence and vision both players have.

As Perfetti returned, left-winger Cole Koepke sat out Sunday’s game with an undisclosed injury.

THE MILESTONE MARKER – Jets sniper Kyle Connor continues to be dangerous and he got his team on the board in the second period, using his hockey instincts to find some open ice in the high slot and his quick release to beat Lukas Dostal to make it a one-goal game (at least momentarily).

Connor is up to nine goals on the season to tie Mark Scheifele for the team lead and it allowed him to hit 600 points for his NHL career in what was the 628th game of his career.

THE REAL DEAL – The Ducks are one of several up-and-coming teams to get off to fantastic starts and there are some signs this group could have some staying power.

Anaheim has been led offensively by 2023 second overall pick Leo Carlsson, with the Swedish centre riding a 10-game point streak and moving to 10 goals and 25 points in 15 games after he scored twice on Sunday.

That moves Carlsson into a tie for second in the NHL scoring derby with Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks, who was chosen one spot ahead of him in 2023.

Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche is the current leader with 27 points.

The Ducks are averaging more than four goals per game this season – which is tops in the NHL.

“They’ve got a good blend of young guys, older guys. They’re getting contributions from all around,” said Perfetti. “Their younger guys are doing really, really well and they’re getting a lot of offence right now.”

One of those veterans providing some stability is former Jets blue-liner Jacob Trouba, who is off to a fantastic start.

Trouba, who was acquired from the New York Rangers late last season, has four goals and 10 points in 15 games while averaging north of 22 minutes per game.

THE KEY PLAY – Beckett Senecke found a loose puck in front and restored a two-goal cushion seven minutes and 26 seconds after Connor got the Jets on the board.

THE THREE STARS

• Beckett Sennecke – Ducks, scored a pair of goals for his first multi-goal game.
• Leo Carlsson – Ducks, scored a pair of power play goals.
• Cutter Gauthier – Ducks, two assists, five shots on goal.

EXTRA, EXTRA – Eric Comrie made his fourth start of the season and made 17 saves as he suffered his first loss. Comrie did enough to give his team an opportunity to win, but the run support that had been so prevalent this season dried up. With the Jets looking to get Comrie north of 20 starts this season, he’s expected to be back between the pipes in the final game of this road trip in Calgary next Saturday or the following Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Jets healthy scratches were defenceman Colin Miller and forward Brad Lambert.

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

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