In Toronto, the visiting Winnipeg Jets scored three times in the first period and added two more in the third in a 5-2 win over the Maple Leafs on Thursday night.
Connor Hellebuyck made 31 saves to earn the victory.
John Tavares had a goal for Toronto.
“I’m just playing, trying to be a difference maker,” Tavares said. “I want to play at a high level consistently and contribute in all areas. I think my focus is always the same so I’m just trying to build on good habits and do my job out there.”
With the loss, Toronto dropped to 28-12-4.
Alex Galchenyuk gave the Maple Leafs a 1-0 lead in the first period before the Jets put up their three markers.
“They win a face-off on their power play and score immediately, that really was tough on us,” Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said. “Obviously we didn’t respond well to that. We just lost structure to their best players. Those were freebies that they didn’t give us and that was the difference in the game.”
Kyle Connor scored twice for the Jets.
“The key to our game tonight was our penalty kill,” Jets head coach Paul Maurice said. “That was the change in momentum; it got us emotionally engaged in the game. We fed off that and then had the quick strikes right after that.”
Nikolaj Ehlers also struck for a pair of markers in the win.
“I just tried to skate as hard as I could and get my stick on that puck,” Ehlers said. “It created a good bounce for me going towards the net and I play with a pretty long stick so that helped out today.”
Mark Scheifele added a single strike for Winnipeg.
“First of all it feels like we’ve been on the road forever,” Scheifele said. “But we just go out there not worried about the line matchups or any of that. We’re just worried about playing hockey and we have four lines, six defensemen and two fantastic goaltenders that can all play in every situation so it’s great to have a deep team.”
The Jets improved to 27-14-3.
“To be a good road team, it’s a bunch of things,” Maurice said. “You’ve got to be smart, you’ve got to play hard, you have to be comfortable and patient playing a simple game. The road game is the game that is played in the playoffs so I would take that.”
Jack Campbell had a sticker of a start for the Maple Leafs. He yielded three goals on six shots before getting the hook.
“I thought we had a good start to the hockey game and just giving three up in the first period, it’s unacceptable,” Campbell said. “I put the team and David in a really tough spot and I just know I can be a lot better than that. I believe in myself and my ability and it’s definitely disappointing when I don’t play to my potential.”
David Rittich made 15 saves in a mop up role.
You must be logged in to post a comment.