The Winnipeg Jets Rediscovered Something With Vilardi

Sometimes a player doesn't need a major change in his game. He just needs to find his way back into a familiar situation. That's what seems to be happening with Winnipeg Jets forward Gabriel Vilardi, who is looking much more comfortable since returning to the top line with Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor.

Vilardi had a goal and two assists in Thursday's impressive 8-3 win over Dallas, adding four shots and finishing plus-three. It was a terrific night, but there's a little more to the story than one productive performance. Since moving back to the top line on November 3 against Montreal, Vilardi has collected six points in five games. That includes a goal and five assists.

Why Does Vilardi Fit So Well on the Jets’ Top Line?

The combination makes sense. Vilardi excelled alongside Scheifele and Connor last season, so this isn't an experiment involving three players trying to figure out how to play together. They already know what each brings to the line. Scheifele creates opportunities, Connor provides a dangerous scoring threat, and Vilardi offers hands, hockey sense, and the ability to work in traffic.

The line’s success speaks to the value of familiarity. Hockey coaches are always looking for combinations that might create a little more offence, but sometimes the answer isn't necessarily finding something new. It's recognizing what worked before and giving it another opportunity.

Vilardi's slow start has probably left some Winnipeg fans wondering when the offence would arrive. Through 20 games, he has two goals and 10 assists, with 39 shots. Those numbers aren't particularly impressive for a player with his offensive ability, but his recent production suggests things may be moving in the right direction.

The Jets Need More Than One Productive Line.

The Jets need more than one productive line to stay competitive throughout the season. Getting Vilardi going alongside Scheifele and Connor could help create a more dependable offensive foundation. One three-point night doesn't solve everything, and Vilardi still has work to do. But sometimes a player finding his place in the lineup can make a difference well beyond his own statistics.

For Winnipeg, the encouraging part isn't simply that Vilardi scored three points against Dallas. It's that the Jets may be getting back a familiar combination that already knows how to make things happen.