WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Jets have hit some turbulence in what has been a strong season — they've lost four of their last five games, including three at home.
Friday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Kings was another example of the goal-scoring well running dry.
Taking on the emotionally drained Los Angeles Kings at Canada Life Centre, the Jets posted just 19 shots on goal, finding the twine once on a third-period, power-play marker from Mark Scheifele.
The Kings, who opened the scoring on Alex Turcotte’s fifth marker of the season early in the second period — gave up the late game-tying marker to Scheifele, but rebounded for the overtime victory on a sloppy Jets line change.
“They got off in time,” Jets head coach Scott Arniel said of the miscommunication at the benches. “We weren't sure about that. But we were trying to do the same thing, and the puck came out to the weak side, obviously, pretty quick, and you get caught.
"That's the problem there when you're trying to make those changes. It's almost like a who gets there first type of thing."
Leaving family and friends behind in a city battling its worst set of wildfires on record, the Kings picked up their fifth-straight win as they began a gruelling five-game road trip through Western Canada and Seattle.
“ … Obviously with everything going on back home, it's pretty emotional and all that kind of stuff,” Kempe said. “But I think everybody showed up to play, everybody did their part.
"We kept it simple and played a solid 60 minutes against one of the best teams and one of the best home teams in the league. So, really proud of the guys tonight, all the way from Darcy (netminder Kuemper) up to the top.”
For the Jets (28-12-3), it’s been a difficult start to what was expected to be a highlight-filled, eight-game homestand. Through four games, Winnipeg has only one win but has managed two additional points by way of overtime losses (1-1-2).
On Friday, it wasn’t for a lack of trying, either. The Jets were just unable to get the puck through Los Angeles’ solid defensive structure.
“It's tough,” Schiefele said. “Obviously, we still had some chances. We still had some opportunities to score some goals. But they're a tough team there. They play solid D, they make it tough to get to the inside. They have good sticks, so they made it tough.”
Down a number of bodies, Winnipeg received a boost defensively as Dylan Samberg made his return to the lineup following a broken foot that kept him out of action for 21 games.
"It's great, he's a really important part of our D-corps,” forward Gabe Vilardi said of Samberg. “He does things so well, especially on the PK. Very good defensively. I'm very happy for him, he's been grinding away the past month, month-and-a-half, whatever it’s been. We're happy to have him back."
For netminder Eric Comrie, it was another difficult result despite a strong showing. He has now gone 0-6-1 in his last seven games. But the team in front of him hasn’t helped much either. Winnipeg has scored just 11 times in Comrie’s seven most recent starts.
“We haven't scored many goals when he's been in the pipes,” Scheifele added. “But he's been playing amazing. He's kept us in games. He's made some fantastic saves. And, again, tonight he was awesome.”
With a quick turnaround, the Jets will need to need to shake off the loss, as the Colorado Avalanche make their way to Canada Life Centre for a Central Division showdown on Saturday night.
Winnipeg will have Connor Hellebuyck back in net as he looks for career win No. 301.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 10, 2025.
Carter Brooks, The Canadian Press
