Jets Beat Wild 5-2: What Did We Learn?

Sometimes a hockey team needs a little reminder of what it can do when the pieces start fitting together. The Winnipeg Jets got one Tuesday night, beating the Minnesota Wild 5-2 behind a big game from Cole Perfetti and a strong top-line performance.

For a team looking to build some consistency early in the season, there was plenty to like about this one. Winnipeg never trailed, got contributions from its key offensive players, and finished its three-game homestand with two wins.

Here are three things we learned.

Cole Perfetti Is Making the Most of His Opportunity.

Perfetti scored twice, including a power-play goal, and looked right at home alongside Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor. The trio combined for seven points, giving the Jets the kind of offensive punch that can make life difficult for any opponent. What caught my attention was Perfetti's early-season production. He already has five goals. Last season, he needed 40 games to reach that number.

Now, we shouldn't get carried away after one game. Hockey seasons are long, and scoring comes and goes. But opportunity matters. Playing alongside skilled linemates gives a player more chances to make something happen, and Perfetti is taking advantage of his. That's encouraging news for Winnipeg.

Related: Hellebuyck May Find Out That the Jets Can Wait

The Jets' Top Line Is Finding Its Rhythm.

Scheifele finished with a goal and two assists, while Connor had a goal and an assist. Connor has now scored in three straight games and in five of Winnipeg's six games this season. That's the sort of production the Jets need from their best players. When the top line creates offence, it takes pressure off everyone else and makes the team harder to defend.

The challenge now is keeping it going. One productive night is nice, but a consistent top line can change the shape of a season.

Stuart Skinner Is Giving Winnipeg a Chance.

Skinner stopped 19 shots and improved his record to 3-0-1 without a regulation loss this season. Those numbers are a good start for a goalie settling into his new surroundings. The Jets simply need him to be dependable, make the timely save, and give the team a chance to win. Tuesday was another step in that direction.

The Jets still have plenty of hockey ahead, but this was a useful win against a Wild team that had beaten Vegas the night before. Perfetti is producing, the top line is clicking, and Skinner is getting results. For now, Winnipeg has some good reasons to feel encouraged. The next job is turning a promising start into something that lasts.

Related: Stuart Skinner Gives the Winnipeg Jets Reasons to Believe