Perfetti stays sharp on defence while trying to rediscover offensive game

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This article was published 12/02/2024 (602 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Cole Perfetti understands fighting through slumps comes with the territory, even if it’s mostly unfamiliar ground.

The Winnipeg Jets forward has routinely said there’s more to his game than what ends up in the traditional stats. Perfetti also realizes that part of his job is to produce offensively.

Going through a 10-game stretch without scoring a goal and only chipping in one assist has been taxing mentally, especially when it coincided with the team’s season-high five-game losing streak that was snapped with a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.

“Obviously, it’s been a frustrating little bit for everyone. The team didn’t win for (five) games there and that was frustrating. You’re not scoring goals as a team,” Perfetti said Monday afternoon after the Jets went through an extended workout. “Things dried up. Everyone is working the same. My effort (is high). You’re trying to do all of the same things and make the right plays and try your hardest every time that you’re on the ice and give your best every single play that you make.

“Everyone goes through it. Every team goes through it. You just try to make it as short as possible and get out on the other side. Hopefully that is coming up soon.”

The Jets (31-14-5) are back in action Wednesday against the visiting San Jose Sharks (14-32-5).

When Jets head coach Rick Bowness shortened his bench to three lines while protecting a one-goal lead against the Penguins, Perfetti and Gabe Vilardi were replaced by Alex Iafallo and Vladislav Namestnikov.

Being skipped over for a few rotations late in games is an adjustment for Perfetti, who has an underrated defensive game and continues to work on his play away from the puck.

“Everyone goes through it. Every team goes through it. You just try to make it as short as possible and get out on the other side. Hopefully that is coming up soon”–Cole Perfetti

“When you’re not producing for the team, you have to make sure that you’re not hurting the team in that way (defensively),” said Perfetti. “I’m trying to take great pride in my defensive game and trying not to give the other teams anything. Hopefully, that can feed into our offence.”

Even with the recent rough patch, Perfetti is fourth on the Jets in goals (14) and sixth in points (30) while appearing in all 50 games this season.

What’s somewhat unusual about his slump is that it came on the heels of the first three-point game of his NHL career Jan. 9.

It’s often tougher to score during the second half and into the stretch drive as the intensity ramps up and teams do a better job of sticking to their defensive structure. That’s why it’s essential for Perfetti to regain his offensive mojo, as he will need to be someone the Jets can continue to count on.

For the record, his confidence isn’t waning.

“Sometimes, luck is just not on your side”–Cole Perfetti

“Sometimes, luck is just not on your side,” said Perfetti, who has 24 goals and 67 points in 119 NHL games. “We’re creating a lot of chances every game, we’re still just not scoring (a lot). That will switch. It has to. We were playing the same way earlier in the year. We’re just waiting for that luck to come back a little bit. You need a little bit of that.”

Perfetti went through a stretch earlier this season when he recorded at least a point in 13 of 15 games and racked up 15 points between Oct. 30 and Dec. 2. He’s someone who has excellent instincts and ample hockey intelligence, which is something he knows he can lean on during difficult times.

“Sometimes you grip your stick, probably a little bit. Sometimes you double clutch or second guess yourself — that’s normal,” said Perfetti. “Once one goes (in), it will all release. I watch my video and I’m trying to do all of the same things. I feel like I’m playing pretty solid. Pucks just aren’t going in the net.”

Bowness reiterated Monday that the Jets continue to search for the optimal deployment of the forward group after Sean Monahan’s arrival, but mentioned he prefers to have Perfetti remain at left wing rather than shuffle him over to the right where he’d be playing his off side.

“We’re looking, we’re still scrambling with the lines a little bit, there’s no question. We’ll get it worked out,” said Bowness. “If that’s what we had to do at some point, we would. He’s more comfortable on the left side than the right side and we’re talking about a young player and we’re working with him. Yeah, we wouldn’t rule it out, but it’s not ideal. Put it that way.”

“Sometimes you grip your stick, probably a little bit. Sometimes you double clutch or second guess yourself — that’s normal”–Cole Perfetti

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

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