Top line powers win over Wild

Cole Perfetti has made it clear he doesn’t want to get ahead of himself.

The Winnipeg Jets winger has first-hand knowledge on how humbling the NHL can be, coming off a quiet campaign as he worked his way back from a high ankle sprain.

But with the benefit of a full summer of training and a return to health, Perfetti has taken advantage of his promotion to the top line and quickly shown he belongs.

The latest proof came Tuesday, with Perfetti scoring a pair of goals — including the game-winner — in a 5-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild at Canada Life Centre.

“It can turn quickly,” said Perfetti, who is up to five goals and eight points in six games. “The biggest thing is when you come into the league, you want to be that guy, you want to be an elite player right away. For most, that’s not the case. You’re playing in the best league in the world, so some nights you’re going to be good, some nights you’re not. Slowly over time, (it’s about) finding that consistency, game in and game out and trying to be the best you can be and growing your game.

“Now it’s just the confidence that comes with it. You feel good about yourself. You’re making plays, you’re contributing in a lot of ways.”

The latter is a good way to describe what Perfetti is doing so far this season.

“He has done an amazing job, he’s done so many good things,” said Jets centre Mark Scheifele. “He’s been a sponge. He’s just been soaking it all up and it shows in his play.”

The Jets, who improved to 4-1-1, return to action on Thursday against the Blackhawks in Chicago.

Let’s take a closer look at what unfolded:

Heating up

The top line combined for three more goals at even strength as they continued to torch opponents in the early stages of the season.

“They’ve been so much fun to play with,” said Scheifele.

With a goal and two helpers on Tuesday, Scheifele is up to six points in six games. He scored his first goal of the season with 2:06 to go in the first period, finishing off a nifty backdoor feed from Neal Pionk.

Scheifele added an assist at even strength and another on the power play for six points in a span of eight periods.

For anyone thinking Scheifele’s production might dip, he’s quickly back on track to produce at a point-per-game pace.

The trio of Scheifele, Connor and Perfetti have combined for 13 of the 18 goals scored this season — with five of those coming with the man-advantage.

Relying on one line for an extended period probably isn’t sustainable, but you also have to acknowledge how impressive the start has been for the trio.

Asking for more

Jets forward Gabriel Vilardi wasn’t hiding his frustration when asked as he searches for his first goal of the season.

Coming off career-highs for goals (30), assists (39) and points (69), Vilardi has been generating enough quality looks but is without a goal through six games.

“I’ve got to score. It’s just that simple,” Vilardi said after the morning skate. “It’s tough to look at the scoresheet and see that you’re not scoring. But you have to kind of remember that this is a team game and you’ve got to make sure that you’re doing the other things right defensively and playing with structure.”

Vilardi recorded his third assist of the season late in the second period Tuesday with a perfect pass to Perfetti in the high slot.

Vilardi didn’t score until his eighth game last season but that was the start of an offensive tear that included five goals and nine points in seven contests.

The key play

Perfetti’s power play marker late in the second period proved to be the game-winner.

THE THREE STARS

1. Mark Scheifele, Jets, One goal, two assists.
2. Cole Perfetti, Jets, Two goals, seven shot attempts.
3. Neal Pionk, Jets, Two assists, two blocked shots.

The wait continues

Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey missed his second game with a suspected wrist injury, though he’s still officially listed as day-to-day.

Fellow blue-liner Elias Salomonsson (shoulder) continues to work on his conditioning after being cleared for contact.

Jets head coach Scott Arniel said a final decision has yet to be made, though it sounds like assigning Salomonsson to the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League to get some game action under his belt is a consideration.

Whether the Jets would consider going with 11 forwards and seven defencemen when Salomonsson is healthy isn’t a road Arniel is ready to go down just yet.

“I don’t know what we will decide. We’ve got to wait, see where we’re at health-wise when we get to that point. I haven’t really thought about it too much. It might be something we look at, but, for now, I’m just taking this sort of game at a time. Who’s in, who’s available and doing it that way,” said Arniel.

Extra, extra!

When Cole Koepke finished off a pass from Vladislav Namestnikov late in the third period, it was the first goal scored by the Jets’ fourth line this season.

Stuart Skinner made 19 saves in the battle of former Edmonton Oilers netminders, while Winnipegger Calvin Pickard turned aside 21 shots in his first start of the season for the Wild.

The Jets improved to 2-0 in the Central Division this season and play three of the next four games against opponents from within the division.

It was a relatively quiet return to the lineup for Jets winger Nino Niederreiter, who was held off the scoresheet for the third time this season. Promoted to the second line with Viggo Bjorck and Vilardi, Niederreiter took 16 shifts for 12:55 of ice time but failed to record a shot on goal or a shot attempt.

The Jets healthy scratches were defenceman Jack St. Ivany and forward Brad Lambert, while the Wild were without D-men Jared Spurgeon (upper body) and Brock Faber (skull) and forwards Marcus Foligno (lower body), Nick Foligno (upper body) and Nico Sturm (upper body).

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