Cole Perfetti Thriving on Jets' Top Line While Mark Scheifele Surprisingly Quiet

Through three games of the regular season, the Winnipeg Jets have had some surprising ups and some even more shocking downs.

Leading the way on the positive side is 24-year-old Cole Perfetti, who is coming off a down season in which he managed just 32 points in 68 games after many expected a breakout following his 50-point campaign the year before.

Early on this season, that breakout may finally be here as Perfetti has two goals and three assists for five points in three games. His move up to the top line alongside Kyle Connor has worked seamlessly, with the two combining for five of Winnipeg's nine goals this season.

While Perfetti and Connor have been a shining success, their center has been the opposite. Mark Scheifele, who is coming off a career-best 103-point season, has been surprisingly quiet. The 33-year-old has no points and is a minus-two through three games, and he has been shooting far less than expected, with just five shots on net after scoring 36 goals last season.

The road isn't getting any easier as Wednesday, the Jets face the Colorado Avalanche, the league's top defensive team a season ago. That is followed by tough matchups in the coming weeks against the Anaheim Ducks, Minnesota Wild and Carolina Hurricanes. 

Winnipeg will need Scheifele to pick up his game if it wants to find the back of the net in those crucial contests.

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