Kings snap Jets’ winning streak – Winnipeg Free Press

Scott Arniel thought the Winnipeg Jets defended well enough to get a different result.

But when it comes to the quality and quantity of looks created, that's where the Jets fell short in the head coach's eyes during Tuesday's 3-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings after two safety markers were allowed in the final five minutes of regulation.

“I don't think we've created enough disruption,” Arniel told reporters in California. “We didn't give up much. We gave up one in the first game, obviously a big one. But I don't think we got to the point of second innings or sustained attacks.

“When we're in the game, it's a shot, it's a rebound, and then all of a sudden, it's a different game. We were kind of united and ready today. We only had 10 scoring chances five-on-five. Our power play, we were one play away from maybe making it happen. The execution wasn't as sharp as usual. They did a pretty good job of keeping us on our heels.”

With the loss, the Jets had their three-game winning streak snapped and their record dropped to 9-4-0.

“They're playing hard. They're a well-structured team, especially in this building, and we knew what we had to do going into the forecheck,” Jets forward Gabe Vilardi told reporters. “We had our looks. We had chances, a lot of power plays, but we couldn't score.”

Winnipeg continues its six-game season road trip against the McLean Celebrinis and Sharks on Friday in San Jose.

Here's what else happened in this:

DEBATE: The Jets thought they had opened the scoring at 8:23 of the first period when Josh Morrissey fired a point shot past Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper.

Vilardi screened Kuemper and the would-be marker was immediately sent off due to goalkeeper interference.

After much deliberation, Arniel decided to use the coach's challenge to prove that it was not goalkeeper interference, hoping that the decision would be overturned.

After a video review, the on-ice decision was ruled invalid and the Jets were assessed delay of game penalties.

“It’s hard when judges immediately dismiss it,” Arniel said. “We looked at it and looked at it and we had time during the (broadcast) timeout. We just felt like if it had been the other way around, we probably wouldn't have challenged it if it had been (in Connor Hellebuyck's case). We felt like there wasn't enough contact. Obviously, they saw it differently.”

Video replays showed Vilardi's left hand making contact with Kuemper, but the important part of the play was that the contact occurred while the Jets forward was in and around the blue paint.

While the contact was minimal – and Kumper may indeed have initiated some of that contact – the call was consistent with the standard that has been in place for the last several seasons.

Vilardi did not hold back when those at the scene in California asked his opinion on the decision.

“My point was I'm doing my best to stay out of the crease. The guy gives me a little push and I think I'm barely in the crease. I think it's a goal. I think it's pretty soft,” Vilardi told reporters. “I don't know what their rules are, I don't know how they define what is goalkeeper interference and what is not.”

The situation room explained that Vilardi prevented Kuemper from making a save.

“I don't know. It's tough, it's a tough challenge for them,” Vilardi said. “I don't want to step on their toes or anything. I think that's the goal, sure, but what are you going to do?”

There was nothing the Jets could do other than try to overturn the small penalty that came with the decision—which they did.

RETURN: The Jets were pleased to have captain Adam Lowry back in the lineup for the first time this season as he returns from offseason hip surgery.

Lowry centered a third line with Nino Niederreiter and Tanner Pearson, and while he needed to shake off some rust, he moved well and managed one shot on goal shorthanded, made four shots and blocked two shots in just over 14 minutes of ice time.

“That was the idea. Try to get him to play as much as possible, try not to make him think, just make him play,” Arniel said. “He missed a lot of time. As the game went on, he got stronger, more comfortable. You knew it was coming, you just build on it.”

Lowry was even called upon to serve as the lone forward during the two players' long absences in the third period.

“Because he's done it before,” Arniel explained. “He’s a guy who knows what he’s doing and he’s done a good job.”

With Morgan Barron officially sidelined for the week with a midsection injury, Lowry wasn't quite able to get going as he played 3:46 shorthanded and just over 10 minutes of five-on-five action.

The only place Lowry didn't quite look like himself was in the faceoff circle, where he made 1 of 13 (eight percent) in his rookie season.

Having an extra day off between games should be an advantage for Lowry, who will then get into the rhythm of playing every other day on this long road trip.

BREAKDOWN: Kings forward Adrian Kempe's goal that opened the scoring was an uncharacteristic break in the defensive zone, with the Kings winger getting free in front before former Jets forward Joel Armia found him with a pass.

Arniel wasn't about to point fingers at the game, but his disappointment was evident when he mentioned it, which was revealed by the Kings' pre-scouting session.

“That first goal is the coverage goal,” Arniel said. “All five (guys on the ice). It's kind of a trend, it came out of the gate. This is a team that likes to find the middle. We talked about that.”

Kempe extended his point streak against Winnipeg to six games.

Kempe scored five goals and 10 points in that span against the Jets, and he is up to six goals and 16 points in 14 games this season to lead the Kings in scoring.

The Swedish forward needs a new contract as he awaits a UFA and the next AAV appears to be getting higher by the day.

KEY GAME: Kevin Fiala's power-play marker with five minutes left in the third period gave the Kings valuable breathing room.

THREE STARS

• Darcy Kuemper, Kings, made 23 saves.
• Adrian Kempe, Kings, scored the winning goal.
• Connor Hellebuyck made 23 saves in the goaltending duel.

ADDITIONAL, ADDITIONAL: Jets defenseman Luke Schenn was a late scratch as he continues to recover from an injury related to a blocked shot against the Chicago Blackhawks. This allowed Haydn Fleury to remain in the third pairing with Colin Miller.

The Jets' only healthy scratch was forward Nikita Chibrikov.

To make room in the lineup for Lowry's return, forward Gustav Nyqvist was placed on injured reserve.

After losing the first five games of the season on home ice, the Kings finally broke the goose egg by posting a shutout against a Jets team that had previously been undefeated on the road.

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Ken Wiebe
Reporter

Ken Wiebe – magazine sports reporter Free presswith a focus on the Winnipeg Jets. He has covered hockey and analyzed the market since 2000 for Winnipeg Sun, AthleticSportsnet.ca and TSN. Ken was a summer intern at Free press in 1999 and returned to Free press full-time in September 2023. More about Ken.

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