WINNIPEG –
The Winnipeg Jets are focusing on the regular season, but many of their fans will look beyond that to gauge the team’s success.
After being bounced out of the NHL playoffs in the first round the past two seasons, a deep post-season run may be the only thing to satisfy their followers.
New head coach Scott Arniel knows the early playoff exits linger in the minds of fans and some players, but he’s concentrating on a style that produces sustainable strong play.
“I’m not (thinking) that far down the road. I’m worrying about Edmonton and Game 1,” Arniel said of Winnipeg’s regular-season opener on the road against the Oilers on Wednesday.
“We’ve talked an awful lot about compete and making sure that when we get into games that our level of compete is higher than the opposition. Hopefully on those tough nights and tough travel, tough back-to-backs or whatever they …