Golden Knights Look to Take Down the Jets After Scott Arniel Makes a Bold Claim
Photo credit: Kevin Nepitabo/CBC
Scott Arniel reacted to a "measuring stick" comment, hinting that the Jets are the team that others look to measure up against, which may not sit well with Vegas.
The Winnipeg Jets remain the measuring stick of the league, at least according to head coach Scott Arniel.
The Winnipeg Jets are the measuring stick in the eyes of head coach Scott Arniel.
- TSN
- TSN
Arniel reacted sharply when questioned as to whether Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings constituted a measuring stick for his division-leading club.
"For us? A measuring stick? Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. We're sitting on top right now," Arniel replied after the loss.
The reason: Winnipeg's 0-3 record this season against L.A. and their shrinking Central Division lead, now just four points ahead of the Dallas Stars, means teams have started taking them more seriously and upping their game.
The Vegas Golden Knights will surely have a bone to pick after hearing those comments, as they look to add to their points total on the season.
Winger Cole Perfetti also put the loss into perspective, noting that the Kings sport an NHL-best 28-4-4 home record.
"They're obviously a really good team in this building and don't give up much, but I thought we created some chances and had our looks," Perfetti said. "A couple self-inflicted wounds, and they capitalized on some of their chances. Obviously, you want to get a win, but we didn't play that bad."
While the Jets are not looking back on Tuesday's defeat, their grip on the division isn't as strong heading into Thursday's matchup with the Vegas Golden Knights.
It appears Eric Comrie will start in goal for the Jets
Goaltender Eric Comrie will be in line to play after logging reps in the visiting net during practice. Comrie has an 8-9-1 mark, a 2.49 goals-against average, and a .909 save percentage in 18 games.
Top goalie Connor Hellebuyck has meanwhile been thriving with a 43-11-3 record, a .924 save percentage, and a 2.03 GAA in 58 games.
Winnipeg resides at the summit of the NHL standings, one point ahead of the Washington Capitals in the pursuit of the Presidents' Trophy.
The Stars trail by four points, but possess one more game, and have only lost once in regulation over their past 10 games, and seek to supplant them atop.
The second seed in the division will face the Colorado Avalanche in the first round, while the top seed will have an easier draw against either the St. Louis Blues or the Minnesota Wild, so winning these next games is crucial.
The Jets are 7-3-0 in their last 10 games, and a pivotal game against Dallas is coming up on April 10.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 3 | 169 ANSWERS Golden Knights Look to Take Down the Jets After Scott Arniel Makes a Bold Claim Do you think the "measuring stick" comments can backfire on the Jets? | ||
| Yes | 80 | 47.3 % |
| No | 89 | 52.7 % |
| List of polls | ||