During the game in which the Winnipeg Jets broke a six-game losing streak, one of their young forwards also broke out of a rough period at the same time.
Cole Perfetti scored two goals, including the game-winning one with 6:55 remaining in the third period, and provided an assist as the Jets secured a 4-3 victory over Los Angeles on Monday night at Canada Life Centre.
Perfetti had only scored once in his last 26 games and was only playing because Tyler Toffoli was unwell and unable to play.
Perfetti stated, “It was a big boost for my confidence. Just being given that opportunity, and then managing to score early in the game – that felt fantastic.”
Perfetti played on the second line with Kyle Connor and Sean Monahan, and they were on the ice for all four Jets’ goals, helping to bring an end to the losing streak. Connor also had a three-point game, contributing three assists in the victory.
Perfetti exclaimed, “As a line, we created plenty and scored plenty. So, I think it felt really good. I'm just really glad that I could contribute and help turn things around. I missed that for a while.”
Jets head coach Rick Bowness reorganized his top two forward lines, moving Nikolaj Ehlers to the top line and shifting Connor downward. He also changed his defensive pairings.
Bowness stated, “Undoubtedly, the Monahan line had a significant impact on the game. The defensive pairings also worked out fine.”
This win marked the Jets' first victory since March 17 as they fought back from a 3-2 deficit.
Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey expressed, “It's definitely great to break the losing streak. We played hard. We faced some adversity being behind in the game and managed to come back multiple times, and didn't lose our confidence.
Despite starting the season well, Perfetti had a tough 2024, and has been left out of the lineup multiple times in March.
He mentioned, “I won't lie, it hasn't been easy. It's been tough recently. But I'm just trying to approach each day with a positive mindset, be a good teammate, and be prepared if an opportunity arises.”
Bowness commented, “He’s been working very hard. The coaches have been devoting a lot of time to him. I did inform him that when he gets back in, we'll give him more time in the top-6 because that suits his game more. So, he made full use of it.”
In a fluctuating contest, the Jets battled back from 2-1 and 3-2 deficits to secure a victory.
Monahan and Morrissey also scored for the Jets.
Viktor Arvidsson, Kevin Fiala, and Anze Kopitar responded for L.A. in the losing effort.
Laurent Brossoit made 25 saves in goal for Winnipeg to claim his 13th win of the season.
Dylan DeMelo contributed with one assist to achieve a new career high of 28 points. Nino Niederreiter left the game in the third period and, as per Bowness, needed stitches on his leg.
The win marked Winnipeg’s 45th victory of the season, the fourth time they have reached this milestone since returning to the city in 2011-12.
After the victory, the Jets are now four points behind the Avalanche for second place in the Central Division.
After participating in over 1,400 NHL games, linesman Ryan Galloway of Winnipeg officiated his final game. The Jets paid tribute to Galloway during a TV timeout, and players from both teams shook his hand after the game.
The Jets' next game is on Thursday night, where they will finish their five-game homestand against the Calgary Flames. The pregame show starts at 5 p.m. on 680 CJOB, with the game beginning shortly after 7 p.m.
