It’s not just like the highway to the Stanley Cup runs via Los Angeles. The truth is, that pathway is presently on the alternative American coast and might name Florida dwelling, not California.
However there was a time, a minimum of for 2 years not that way back, when the L.A. Kings have been successful Cups — and have been on the pinnacle of competitors throughout the Nationwide Hockey League.
And whereas a lot of the personnel from these championship groups of 2012 and 2014 have moved on, the constant presence of Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty was sufficient to remind the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night time that the glory days aren’t completely behind them.
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In shutting out the Jets for his or her first dwelling win of the season, the Kings have been methodical of their execution, governing Winnipeg’s pace via the impartial zone, successful extra battles, protecting their web entrance clear and giving completely no quarter on 5 Jets energy performs.
Head coach Scott Arniel stated post-game, “Offensively, we didn’t do sufficient to win the hockey sport.” And he’s proper, they didn’t. And the Kings, for his or her half, have been a near-exclusive motive for that.
Now, Tuesday’s loss for the Jets is simply that – one loss. However past the one-night setback, the stark lesson to be realized right here is that after successful the Presidents’ Trophy final season and leaping out to a different stable begin this season, Winnipeg is the measuring stick.
Not solely do groups have them of their sights, however the kind of sport Los Angeles executed to close them out is the model they’re probably going to see extra of, as groups search for Winnipeg’s vulnerabilities.
In spite of everything, there aren’t any secrets and techniques on video.
The problem for the Jets is to now perceive how groups need to play them. Then modify, overcome and finally conquer.
If they’ll, then maybe the highway to the Stanley Cup may not run via any state this season, however moderately on the Canadian Prairies as an alternative.
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