Oilers stymie Jets again

Were this a game that actually counted in the standings, the reaction from Winnipeg Jets head coach Scott Arniel probably wouldn’t have been nearly as composed.

The video evidence suggests the Edmonton Oilers had at least four players on the ice during a line change that turned into a two-on-one rush that finished with Zack Hyman setting up Viljami Marjala for a goal at 1:26 of overtime.

That left the Jets on the receiving end of a 2-1 overtime loss to sit with a pre-season record of 1-1-1.

“It was a pretty good jump,” said Arniel, who was more concerned about the shot from defenceman Dylan Samberg that helped spring the Oilers on the odd-man rush. “I’m not real keen on the slapper missing the net and going all the way down. I’m more concerned about that. It is what it is. Tough one for (Jets goaltender) Dom (DiVincentiis), because he was fantastic.”

The Jets fell 5-2 to Edmonton on Saturday. They close out the exhibition schedule on Friday night against the Colorado Avalanche and are planning to dress a roster that should closely resemble the opening-game lineup.

Let’s take a look at some of the other things that transpired in this one:

Making his case

After Moose goalie partner Thomas Milic got the call last Saturday and Stuart Skinner made his Jets pre-season debut on Monday, it was DiVincentiis between the pipes on Tuesday.

DiVincentiis, who is vying for the backup job behind Skinner, had a steady showing, finishing with 21 saves.

Oilers defenceman Atro Leppanen snuck a shot through a screen from Hyman for the equalizer late in the first period.

Hyman made contact with DiVincentiis on the play, though it came after the puck was past the Jets goaltender.

Video review wasn’t an option to try to overturn it, unlike Monday when Arniel used a coach’s challenge to get a goal taken off the board against the Avalanche.

“Unfortunately that’s the way it happens,” said DiVincentiis. “You’ve got to fight through that. It’s just some adversity that I have to face.”

DiVincentiis came into training camp with a lot of confidence after getting into five Calder Cup playoff games last spring, going 3-2 with a 1.45 goals-against average and .955 save percentage with one shutout.

Arniel was in the building for Moose home playoff games and noticed something he didn’t always see when DiVincentiis was up with the Jets last season (although he didn’t get into any game action) when Connor Hellebuyck was on the shelf with a knee injury.

“I thought that he was trying to make the spectacular save all the time,” said Arniel. “When I saw him in the playoffs with the Moose, there was a big goalie that was very compact. (He) had less movement in his game and more patience. And that’s what I’m seeing now. He just seems to be a young goaltender that’s grown.

“He looks big, and that’s kind of what you hope for.”

New look for Lambert

One of the things Arniel is experimenting with during training camp is playing Brad Lambert on the right side with captain Adam Lowry and Morgan Barron.

Lambert could add explosiveness and offensive flair to the trio, provided he shows he can handle the responsibilities that come with going head-to-head with some of the most talented players in the league.

“When we don’t have the puck, (it’s about) knowing what his responsibilities are, because he’s facing a top-six line. The other side of it is to use his offence,” said Arniel. “The best way to make a top line (work) is to make them play in their end of the rink.

“When he has the puck, go out and be creative and do those things that he can do with the puck. He’s got two big bodies with him to help them work along that way.”

Lambert showed good hustle on the back check and made a nice play to set up Barron for a chance from the high slot during the third period, finishing with two shots on goal in just under 18 minutes of ice time.

One would expect Arniel would like to see this line at least one more time before making his final decision on whether to keep them together.

Zhilkin pushing

Centre Danny Zhilkin got into his first six NHL games last season and chipped in an assist, but he finds himself in new territory this season, as he is no longer exempt from waivers.

Zhilkin, who had 12 goals and 24 points for the Moose, said he added some strength during the summer that’s helping him find another gear.

“I feel awesome,” he said. “I gained around 10 pounds this last summer, so I feel stronger, faster, more powerful.”

Zhilkin showed a burst of speed during the third period and nearly beat Connor Ungar on a wraparound attempt.

Also subject to waivers for the first time, winger Nikita Chibrikov appears to be in tough to be on the 23-man roster week after a quiet training camp.

Chibrikov is noticeably quicker after working his way back from a lower-body injury, but he wasn’t able to gain much traction offensively in the two games he’s suited up in.

Extra, extra

Alex Iafallo had the lone goal for the Jets, banging home a rebound that came off the end boards after a shot from linemate Nino Niederreiter.

Arniel wasn’t ready to provide a ballpark estimate, but conceded a substantial number of cuts would be made on Wednesday to reduce the training camp roster.

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