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![\"Winnipeg](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/3712701_web1_0f1cc46853764c30964de8153f4d3b58.jpg\")
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Winnipeg Jets centre Gabriel Vilardi (13) battles for the puck against Los Angeles Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke (92), left wing Jeff Malott, second from left, and defenseman Joel Edmundson (6) during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Jessie Alcheh \/ The Associated Press)<\/p>\n
Vilardi was providing the screen in front of Kuemper and the potential marker was waved off immediately for goalie interference.<\/p>\n
After much deliberation, Arniel opted to use a coach\u2019s challenge to argue that it wasn\u2019t goalie interference, hoping the call would be overturned.<\/p>\n
Following the video review, the call on the ice ended up standing and the Jets were given a delay-of-game penalty.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s tough when it gets waved off right away by the referees,\u201d said Arniel. \u201cWe were looking at it and looking at it and we had time during the (broadcast) timeout. We just felt that if it was the other way around, we probably wouldn\u2019t have challenged it if it had been (on Connor Hellebuyck). We felt that there wasn\u2019t enough contact. Obviously, they saw it a different way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Video replays showed that Vilardi\u2019s left arm grazed Kuemper, but the important part of the play was that the contact occurred while the Jets forward was in and around the blue paint.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Scheifele (55) and Los Angeles Kings defenceman Mikey Anderson (44) hold one another by the boards during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Jessie Alcheh \/ The Associated Press)<\/p>\n Although the contact was minimal \u2014 and Kuemper may have actually initiated some of that contact, the call was consistent with the standard that has been applied during the past several seasons.<\/p>\n Vilardi didn\u2019t hold back when asked for his opinion of the ruling by those who were on the scene in California.<\/p>\n \u201cMy view was, I\u2019m doing my best to stay out of the crease. There\u2019s a little nudge from the guy, and I think I\u2019m barely in the crease. I think it\u2019s a goal. I think that\u2019s pretty soft,\u201d Vilardi told reporters. \u201cI don\u2019t know what their rules on it are, I don\u2019t know how they determine what\u2019s goalie interference and what\u2019s not.\u201d<\/p>\n The explanation given by the situation room was that Vilardi impeded Kuemper\u2019s ability to make the save.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know. It\u2019s tough, it\u2019s a tough call for them,\u201d said Vilardi. \u201cI don\u2019t want to step on their toes or anything. I think it\u2019s a goal, obviously, but what are you gonna do?\u201d<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) makes a save during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Jessie Alcheh \/ The Associated Press)<\/p>\n The Jets couldn\u2019t do anything other than to try and kill off the minor penalty that came with the decision \u2013 which they did.<\/p>\n THE RETURN: The Jets were happy to see captain Adam Lowry back in the lineup for the first time this season as he makes his way back from off-season hip surgery.<\/p>\n Lowry centred the third line with Nino Niederreiter and Tanner Pearson and while he had some rust to shake off, he moved well and managed one shot on goal while shorthanded, delivered four hits and blocked two shots in just over 14 minutes of ice time.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was the idea. To try to get him out there as much as possible, try to not get him thinking, just get him playing,\u201d said Arniel. \u201cHe\u2019s missed a lot of time. He got stronger as the game went on, he got more comfortable. You knew it was going to be this way, just kind of build off it.\u201d<\/p>\n Lowry was even called upon to be the lone forward during the lengthy two-man disadvantage during the third period.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Winnipeg Jets centreAdam Lowry, right, passes the puck against Los Angeles Kings right wing Adrian Kempe (9) during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Jessie Alcheh \/ The Associated Press)<\/p>\n \u201cBecause he\u2019s done it before,\u201d Arniel explained. \u201cHe\u2019s a guy who knows what he\u2019s doing and he did a good job with it.\u201d<\/p>\n With Morgan Barron officially out week-to-week with a mid-body injury, Lowry wasn\u2019t exactly eased into action, as he played 3:46 while shorthanded and just over 10 minutes at five-on-five.<\/p>\n The only place where Lowry didn\u2019t look quite like himself was in the faceoff circle, where he went one-for-13 (eight per cent) in his season debut.<\/p>\n Having an extra day off between games should be a benefit for Lowry, who will then get into the rhythm of playing every other day on this extended road trip.<\/p>\n THE BREAKDOWN: The goal from Kings forward Adrian Kempe that opened the scoring was an uncharacteristic breakdown in the defensive zone, with the Kings winger getting free in front before former Jets forward Joel Armia found him with a pass.<\/p>\n Arniel wasn\u2019t about to point fingers on the play, but his disappointment was evident as he referenced that being something that showed up on the pre-scout of the Kings.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Winnipeg Jets defenceman Dylan Demelo (2) prepares to pass against Los Angeles Kings right wing Joel Armia, left, during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Jessie Alcheh \/ The Associated Press)<\/p>\n \u201cThat first goal is a coverage goal,\u201d said Arniel. \u201cIt\u2019s all five (guys on the ice). Sort of the tendency that happens, it came from behind the net. They\u2019re a team that likes to find that middle. We had talked about it.\u201d<\/p>\n Kempe extended his point streak against Winnipeg to six games.<\/p>\n Kempe has delivered five goals and 10 points during that span against the Jets and he\u2019s up to six goals and 16 points in 14 games this season to lead the Kings in scoring.<\/p>\n The Swedish forward needs a new contract as a pending UFA and that next AAV seems to be getting higher by the day.<\/p>\n THE KEY PLAY: A power-play marker from Kevin Fiala with five minutes to go in the third period provided some valuable breathing room for the Kings.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a save as Los Angeles Kings left wing Trevor Moore (12) watches during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Jessie Alcheh \/ The Associated Press)<\/p>\n THE THREE STARS <\/p>\n Darcy Kuemper, Kings, Posted a 23-save shutout. EXTRA, EXTRA: Jets defenceman Luke Schenn was a late scratch as he continues to deal with an injury related to a shot he blocked against the Chicago Blackhawks. That allowed Haydn Fleury to remain on the third pairing with Colin Miller.<\/p>\n \n\t\tWinnipeg Free Press | Newsletter\n\t<\/p>\n \t\t\tThe Warm-Up<\/p>\n Winnipeg Jets Game Days<\/p>\n On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop.<\/p>\n \t\t\tSign up for The Warm-Up<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t The Jets only healthy scratch was forward Nikita Chibrikov.<\/p>\n In order to make room on the roster for the return of Lowry, forward Gustav Nyquist was placed on injured reserve.<\/p>\n 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 was previously undefeated on the road.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Los Angeles Kings right wing Adrian Kempe (9) skates with the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Jessie Alcheh \/ The Associated Press)<\/p>\n ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca<\/p>\n X and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t Ken Wiebe Ken Wiebe is a sports reporter for the Free Press, with an emphasis on the Winnipeg Jets. He has covered hockey and provided analysis in this market since 2000 for the Winnipeg Sun, The Athletic, Sportsnet.ca and TSN. Ken was a summer intern at the Free Press in 1999 and returned to the Free Press in a full-time capacity in September of 2023. Read more about Ken<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every piece of reporting Ken produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print \u2014 part of the Free Press\u2018s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press\u2019s history and mandate<\/a>, and learn how our newsroom operates<\/a>.<\/p>\n Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber<\/a>.<\/p>\n Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.<\/p>\n \t\t
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\nAdrian Kempe, Kings, Scored the game-winning goal.
\nConnor Hellebuyck, Made 23 saves in this goaltenders\u2019 duel. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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