Finding the right mix

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This article was published 24/02/2024 (590 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Jets are officially in the third period of their season, with 55 games now in the rear-view mirror and 27 left to come.

And while they’re currently in uncharted waters — a franchise-best 35-15-5 record at this stage — it would be a stretch to suggest everything is going swimmingly.

Take the case of struggling forwards Alex Iafallo and Cole Perfetti, for example.

Iafallo has gone eight games without a point and has just one assist in his last 19 appearances. Perfetti’s drought is now up to a dozen games, with just a single helper to show for his last 15 contests.

For two offensively minded players who have combined for 48 points (21 goals, 27 assists) so far this year, that’s an unexpected and unwelcome development.

“Just keep on going. Helping any way that I can. Obviously right now that’s not on the scoresheet,” Perfetti said following Saturday’s practice in downtown Winnipeg.

“If it’s not on the stats sheet, then away from the puck, any situation that I can help. That’s kind of my mindset right now. Just work my hardest, play the right way, try to play a 200-foot game and be relied on in any situation. That’s kinda my mindset right now.”

This is all rather new to the 22-year-old Perfetti, who’s had his first two years with the Jets cut short by injuries. He’s already set a career high in games played, and his next point — which he’s been waiting a long time to come — will establish a new benchmark in that department, too.

Iafallo, 30, is much more accustomed to the ebbs and flows of a long NHL season, so he’s likely not beating himself up quite as much as his much younger teammate. Still, the desire to contribute is strong.

Jets coach Rick Bowness, in an attempt to get both players going, had them switch places in the lineup on Friday night. And the early returns, following a 3-2 overtime victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, were encouraging.

The revamped second line with Iafallo, Nikolaj Ehlers (two goals in regulation) and Sean Monahan was Winnipeg’s best, while the new-look fourth line with Perfetti, Vlad Namestnikov and Morgan Barron was right behind them. They’ll all get another look together on Sunday as the Jets host the Arizona Coyotes at Canada Life Centre (5 p.m., TSN3).

“I thought it was pretty good,” said Perfetti. “You know, me and Vladdy play well together. We’ve played a lot together this year.”

“Bears, he works so hard and creates so much space, a big body. He’s a smart player, so he’s in the right spot. He can help out with the physical aspect, he’s so strong and so big. Then hopefully me and Vladdy can make some plays. I thought we gelled together pretty good. That was a good start. I enjoyed playing with them. It was good.”

Bowness said the flip-flop is all about trying to find a fit, while also throwing a bit of a lifeline to a young player like Perfetti.

“Listen, he puts a lot of pressure on himself. He’s gone 15 games with one assist. He takes pride in that. You see those things,” said Bowness.

“Let’s put him down a position and take a little pressure off of him. It helped him last night. He looked good on that line. Plus, when you’re on that line, you’re playing against different people on the opposition. You’re playing against the other third-pairing D and you’re playing against, mostly, the fourth-line guys. So that takes a little bit of pressure off as well, that you’re not out there against the top couple of lines and the top couple of D-pairings.”

As for Iafallo on line two, Bowness says it’s part of the continuing search for chemistry to go along with Ehlers and recent trade acquisition Monahan.

“They know, we’ve been clear since we got Sean, we’re trying to get that second line scoring. And we are,” said Bowness.

“We’re trying to get that second the right fit and last night it looked really good. Nik on the left wing, I moved him over there because he hadn’t scored on the right side, so I moved him back to the left wing. Alex’s minutes were down. We’re trying to get him some more minutes and that line looked really good last night so we’re hoping that will continue.”

Iafallo says there’s plenty of value in getting looks with different teammates during the season. In Winnipeg’s case, they have the added comfort of a solid spot in the standings which perhaps allows for more runway to experiment.

“Just getting chemistry with different players. Obviously everybody’s really good in here. You’ve just go to feed off each other and learn from each other,” said Iafallo, who certainly liked what he saw on Friday and admits he has to change his game a little bit in this different role.

“I’m going to try to get to the net a little more. They can control the puck, and I’ll get them the puck forecheck-wise, and try to stay in front of the net there and get some tips.”

Despite arriving in the wee hours of Saturday morning from the Windy City, 15 of the 22 skaters on the active roster participated in the optional practice. A big reason is the Jets won’t have a morning skate Sunday with the 5 p.m. puck drop.

“It was a good turnout. Just sweat it out and get ready for tomorrow,” said Iafallo.

The Coyotes limp into town on an ugly 11-game losing streak (0-10-1) that has seem them essentially fall out of the Western Conference playoff race. Winnipeg has gone a perfect 3-0-0 against them so far this year, outscoring them 16-7.

“They’re really hungry. They’ll be coming hard. They’re rested,” said Bowness.

“Listen, they’re a good hockey team. They had a great start. They’ve fallen on some tough times but they’ve got a good coaching staff there that keeps pushing them. They’ve had some tough breaks in those 11 games. There’s games in there they could have won easily that they end up losing. They will be an ornery bunch. They will be a very hungry bunch coming in.”

The Jets are expected to make one lineup change, with defenceman Nate Schmidt (a healthy scratch for the past two games) replacing Logan Stanley on the blue line. Connor Hellebuyck will start in goal.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X: @mikemcintyrewpg