DUCKS SCORE IN BUNCHES
The last time Winnipeg faced the Ducks was their second game out of the Olympic break and they played a solid 40 minutes and led 3-1 going into the third period. However, Anaheim would score three times in 10:08 to take a 4-3 lead before winning 5-4 in OT. Tonight, the Jets lead nothing before Tim Washe (6:24), Ryan Poehling (6:38) and Alex Killorn (8:08) scored in 1:44 to give the Ducks a two-goal lead after two. Anaheim dominated the middle frame outshooting the Jets 20-5.
“I think it was more the execution – it’s not an effort thing. I’d never question our effort. It was just some details, some reads, some things we talked about before the game. They’re going to be hyper-aggressive,” said Adam Lowry.
“They’re going to come down the wall. If you connect on a few passes, make some plays, you’re going to get some odd-man rushes. They’re a team that kind of thrives on turnovers and they do a real good job creating and bringing that fourth man.”
NOT ENOUGH – TOP TO BOTTOM
In big games like tonight, the Jets best players have to be their best players. Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor and Gabe Vilardi combined for zero shots on goal. However, head coach Scott Arniel wasn’t going to just place the blame on his best players after the Jets were held to just 13 shots.
“If we’re going to get in, our top players have to be our top players, we’ve said that from the beginning,” said Arniel.
“But everybody else has to also play their roles. It was throughout the lineup. The part about getting shots, we didn’t have the puck. Anaheim had the puck most of the night.”