Practice Notebook - Dec. 1, 2022

WINNIPEG -Cole Perfetti has a three-game point streak, is second in rookie scoring with 14 points in 21 games, and had three assists against the defending Stanley Cup champions two days ago.
Those accomplishments will sit in his back pocket for now though, as he knows every day is a new day in the National Hockey League.
It's one of the lessons he's already learned early in his career.
"It's great to have a good night, but you have to be able to follow it up the next day in practice, follow it up the next game," said Perfetti. "Come in every day and give that same effort, that same mentality."
It's part of the journey to be a good pro. Perfetti has a brilliant hockey IQ - just look back at his set up of Blake Wheeler's second goal in the 5-0 win over Colorado on Tuesday - and is incredibly creative on the ice. But even still, there are always things to learn.

And Wheeler, one of Perfetti's current linemates, has been instrumental in coaching the 10th overall pick from the 2020 NHL Draft.
"There have been stretches this year where I've made mistakes, or haven't done my job, or just made a mistake and he was the first one there to say 'it happens,'" Perfetti said. "He's been really good with me on the bench. It's never as bas as it seems, and it's never as good as it seems, is what he's said. Older guys are saying that kind of stuff. Just focus on the next shift, the next play, just stuff you need to hear when you're a young kid."
Wheeler's advice comes from a good place. He notched his fourth career hat trick on Tuesday, leads the Jets franchise in points, and has over 1,000 NHL games under his belt.
Jets head coach Rick Bowness has over 40 years of professional coaching experience and has seen a number of young players go through that learning process. He coached Alex Edler, who is on the cusp of 1,000 career games, in Vancouver. He was a big part of Tampa Bay defenceman Victor Hedman's development as well.
He says sometimes tough lessons have to be learned - like when Perfetti had his ice time limited to a season low 9:52 Minnesota last week - but Bowness also believes players deserve an opportunity to learn those lessons and be put in a position to show it.
"You're challenging them by sitting them for a while, then you're challenging them later with 'this is what we need to see you improve the next game,'" said Bowness. "I'll always give a player a chance to redeem himself - not a one or two shifts, but a couple of games - and just keep pushing them. That's all involved with working with a young player like Cole."

He describes Perfetti as a "student of the game," and after that tough night in Minnesota, Bowness put Perfetti in that position to succeed - on a line with Wheeler and Mark Scheifele.
That didn't go unnoticed by Perfetti.
"To have that confidence from your coach to move lines, go up a line, still stay in that grouping, it really means a lot as a young guy," Perfetti said. "To go with Scheif and Wheels, still have that confidence from the coach, it means a lot."
It's one thing to get that chance to prove yourself. To make sure that opportunity doesn't disappear, is something entirely different said Pierre-Luc Dubois.
"Confidence has to come from within. It doesn't come from ice time, it doesn't come from opportunities, it comes from you taking those opportunities and doing something with them," said Dubois. "He's been getting better and better all season. Last game he made really nice plays. Games like that will just help him get more and more comfortable out there."

So the 20-year-old will continue to keep a level head - not get too high or too low - because the next lesson could be around the corner.
"One thing (Bowness) has been saying is be consistent every single day," Perfetti said. "It's a long schedule. It's tiring, it's hard. It's not like junior anymore. It's a whole step up. Just have to learn how to do that and be part of that process. He's been great, the coaches have been great trying to help speed that long and expedite the process of the learning."
The Jets have rattled off three straight wins, and just as important, they all came against Central Division opponents.
Two points are always on the line no matter who the opponent is, but there's always a little more added satisfaction when the win can create some space - or gain some ground - on a team within the division.
"It starts with (Connor Hellebuyck) and working its way out. We're finding the back of the net a lot now, and I think that's really helping," said Perfetti. "The last three games, I think we're really happy with. We know how important those in division games are, especially against teams like Dallas and Colorado - we're fighting for a spot with them - so I think we're pleased with our performance."