Cole Perfetti is off to a superb begin as he pursues the second-line centre spot for the Winnipeg Jets.
Perfetti scored the shootout winner because the Jets began off the pre-season schedule with a 2-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday.
The tenth total choice within the 2020 draft mentioned he felt good about his recreation to start out exhibition play as he makes an attempt to take over the centre function now not occupied by Pierre-Luc Dubois.
“I haven’t performed a recreation since February,” mentioned the 21-year-old Perfetti, who has suffered season-ending accidents in his first two professional campaigns with the Jets. “It’s been an extended layoff. With the velocity that the sport had, it took a few shifts to get my toes moist.
“However I believed as the sport went on, I received higher and higher each shift and felt extra comfy and made extra performs. It was additionally my first recreation again at centre shortly, so getting comfy was the primary factor.”
Jets coach Rick Bowness has excessive hopes for Perfetti, who has recorded 37 factors (10 objectives, 27 assists) in 69 profession video games for Winnipeg between accidents.
“That’s his first recreation at centre for us and he dealt with it properly,” he mentioned. “You may see his hockey IQ and the imaginative and prescient that he has. He is a good passer.
“We’re going to give him each alternative within the pre-season to really feel comfy in that spot.”
Dominic Toninato scored in regulation for the Jets (1-0).
Zach Hyman replied for the Oilers (0-0-1).
Winnipeg struck first 7:55 into the opening interval. Brenden Dillon sprung Toninato for a breakaway and he managed to ship it by means of the legs of Oilers beginning goaltender Olivier Rodrigue.
The Oilers tied the sport up on an influence play with just below six minutes left within the first interval. Hyman picked up a rebound in entrance off a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins level shot and slid it previous Jets goalie Collin Delia.
Edmonton had the majority of the possibilities within the scoreless second interval, however Delia stood tall in internet, together with an enormous glove save on Evander Kane with 5 minutes to play within the body.
The Oilers had a wonderful likelihood to seize the lead with six minutes to play within the third interval when Hyman despatched a puck by means of the crease, however Kane was unable to direct the puck house from the facet of the online.
Edmonton had a flurry of alternatives within the last minute, however Delia remained sturdy to ship the sport to further time.
The Oilers outshot the Jets 37-26.
One of many intriguing storylines for the Oilers was Brandon Sutter, who hasn’t performed the previous two seasons on account of long-COVID problems.
The previous Vancouver Canucks ahead is on a Skilled Tryout Provide (PTO) with the Oilers.
“I’ve by no means been jittery for a pre-season recreation earlier than,” Sutter mentioned. “It simply felt good to be on the market, and my youngsters have been right here they usually haven’t seen me play in three years.
“They’re little, so that they don’t bear in mind something. So it was type of a particular evening for me.”
UP NEXT
The 2 groups are proper again at it for a rematch in Winnipeg on Monday evening.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Sept. 24, 2023.