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Veteran forward Vladislav Namestnikov discussed a difficult season a year ago before the Jets left for Denver to play the Colorado Avalanche.
Namestnikov said he’s leaving last year in the past and isn’t trying to come up with any excuses. After a solid summer, Namestnikov said he’s feeling good and healthy.
The former 28th overall pick had a goal and an assist, as did linemate Nino Niederreiter in a 5-2 loss to the Avs on Friday night. Winnipeg led 2-1 after the second period, but Colorado scored four straight without giving up a response as the Jets closed a 1-2-1 preseason.
Stuart Skinner stopped 28 shots on the night, and the Jets will open the regular season next Friday at home.
“That chemistry that has to build with the lines, the D partners and each guy being responsible for making sure his conditioning is spot on,” Scott Arniel said of what he learned from the preseason.
“A lot of focus on details in practice, game situation, then you add compete and execute; those are the last pieces really that get you out of the summer hockey mode.”
Winnipeg struck first on the power play at 6:15. Neal Pionk’s drive from the point was kicked aside by Mackenzie Blackwood, but Nino Niederreiter was there to bury the rebound to put the Jets up 1-0.
Jets nearly doubled their lead on their third power play, but Colorado tied it at 6:07. The Jets turned the puck over in their zone, and Jaden Schwartz tipped J.T. Compher’s shot past Skinner in between the legs.
The knot was broken just 1:30 into the period. Niederreiter fed Namestnikov, who scored his third quality scoring opportunity of the night and second point of the game to give the Jets a 3-2 advantage.
“We all, there were certain things you definitely liked tonight, but at the same time, as I said, it’s preseason; you can’t take things too seriously,” Niederreiter said.
“You know you’ve got to work on your game. Regular season is a completely different animal. So, we know we’ve got to prepare ourselves for that.”
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