FROM THE PRESS BOX
MIKE SAYS: Paging Cole Perfetti. If ever there was a time for the young forward to have a productive weekend, this would be it. With Lowry and potentially Ehlers both out, the Jets need some other forwards to step up.
Perfetti has not scored in 14 straight games, and his only offence in that span was two assists which came back on Jan. 14 against Vancouver.
“Obviously the production might not be there in the sense of the stat sheet and stuff like that, but I feel like, you know, I’m really starting to play really good hockey all over the ice,” Perfetti said following the morning skate.
“That’s what I’m trying to focus on, being harder on the puck, harder on the walls, kind of being a little prick to play against, not being fun to play against. Be annoying, reliable in all zones. Eventually the production is going to come, the offensive side of it will come.
“The way I look at it, the way we talk about it as a group and from the coaches, how can I effect the game if I’m not scoring or if I’m not getting production.”
That’s a good approach, for sure, especially from a young player who can be very hard on himself.
“It’s a little frustrating, but at the same time I’m able to look myself in the mirror and say I played a good game defensively, I didn’t give much up, we were good as a line,” Perfetti continued.
“If you can find parts of the game where you contributed to the win, production or not, if you’re able to do that you’re a big part of this team and you know, we’re the best team in the league right now. If you’re able to find a way to be a part of that, that’s pretty awesome.”
Perfetti had recently been moved down to the third line but will get a bump up against Utah if Ehlers can’t go. He also will take Ehlers’ spot on the top power-play unit, which is a huge opportunity for him.
“It’s hard to replace Nikky because of what he can do and how special he is. Just try to be in there and be in the right spots for them,” said Perfetti.
“That’s kind of when that unit is successful, when they’re all supporting each other and everyone’s in the right spots and they’re moving the puck quickly. I’m just going to try to do that and work hard for them and hopefully find some success.”
Cole Perfetti Perfetti has not scored in 14 straight games. (LM Otero / The Associated Press files)
KEN SAYS: That slapshot from Neal Pionk for the overtime winner on Wednesday was something to behold.
Pionk, who scored a similar goal for an OT win against the Avalanche two years earlier, is now up to seven goals and 31 points in 49 games this season to sit sixth in team scoring — which is even more impressive when you consider he’s not on the top power-play unit.
Although he’s chipped in three goals and nine points with the man advantage, Pionk has contributed most of his offence at even strength.
A bounce-back season from Pionk was going to be essential for the Jets defence corps and he’s been able to deliver that.
Along with pulling within three goals and 12 points of his career highs with 33 games to play, Pionk’s play in the defensive zone is much improved and he’s doing a solid job on the penalty kill. If he can maintain this level down the stretch run, it will only bolster his bargaining power as a pending unrestricted free agent.
Vilardi hit the 20-goal mark for the third time in his career on Thursday and that helped the Jets become the third team in the NHL with three 20-goal scorers.
Vilardi scored 23 in 63 games during his final season with the Kings and then delivered 22 in 47 games in his first season with the Jets (2023-24). He seems well on his way to eclipsing 30 goals for the first time in his career.
For Utah HC, centre Barrett Hayton is on a bit of a heater, following up his three-point performance against the Jets with a two-goal outing against the Wild.
The fifth overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft has produced three goals and seven points during his past four games and is up to sixth in team scoring with 11 goals and 25 points in 47 games.
Ingram recently spoke about the passing of his mother, so you know it’s been an emotional season for him.
Although his numbers aren’t as strong as they were last season when he essentially won the starting job from Vejmelka, he’s allowed only two goals in each of his past three starts — including a 23-save effort against the Jets on Monday.
Ingram captured the Bill Masterton Trophy last season for perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey after sharing his story about how he nearly retired after his battle with an undiagnosed obsessive-compulsive disorder and dealing with lingering depression.
Utah goalie Connor Ingram has allowed only two goals in each of his past three starts. (Connor Hamilton / The Associated Press files)
PROJECTED LINES
WINNIPEG JETS
FORWARDS
- Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi
- Perfetti-Namestnikov-Iafallo
- Niederreiter-Kupari-Appleton
- Gustafsson-Lambert-Barron
DEFENCE
- Morrissey-DeMelo
- Samberg-Pionk
- Fleury-Stanley
GOAL
Healthy scratches: D Heinola, D Miller
Injured: C Lowry (upper-body), F Ehlers (illness, game-time decision)
UTAH HC
FORWARDS
- Keller-Cooley-Schmaltz
- Maccelli-Hayton-Doan
- McBain-Bjugstad-Crouse
- Carcone-Stenlund-Kerfoot
DEFENCE
- Cole-Kesserling
- Maata-Marino
- Valimaki-DeSimone
GOAL
Healthy scratches: D Kolyachonok, F O’Brien
Injured: D Sergachev (upper-body), D Durzi (shoulder), D Bortuzzo (lower-body), F Guenther (lower-body)
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
Jets forward Cole Perfetti on getting another shot against Utah:
“We were unhappy with how we left Utah and we weren’t feeling too good about our game there. I think it’s going to be a different game for us, for sure. I think we’re going to come out with a different intent and energy. Obviously they kind of embarrassed us in their building, so we want to return the favour for them tonight.”
WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON
Mike and Ken are putting together the latest edition of Dump & Chase, their weekly NHL column. This one leads with a trip down memory lane as former Jets 1.0 players reflect on first-ever coach Tom McVie, who passed away recently.
Ken will have the game duties of Jets vs Utah. You can find both pieces on our website and in Saturday’s print edition.
Winnipeg Jets head coach Tom McVie celebrates winning the 1979 Avco Cup of the World Hockey Association. (Jon Thordarson / Winnipeg Tribune / Free Press files)
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