Leafs move into third spot in division with OT win over Jets

In Toronto, Jake Gardiner scored  just past the midway point of extra time to give the Maple Leafs a 5-4 win over the Winnipeg Jets.

“It was a huge game for us,” Gardiner said. “I think having a deficit early and coming back a few different times showed a lot of maturity in our group. We battled hard tonight.”

Leo Komarov had two goals in win over Jets – file photo by Lewis Bleiman

The Leafs hold down the third spot in the Atlantic Division with 67 points.

Frederik Andersen made 16 saves for the win as Toronto improved to 28-20-11.

“Early, we were good, Freddie wasn’t,” Leafs head coach Mike Babcock said. “He made some good saves there down the stretch and we ended up winning the game. Some nights, Freddie picks us up, but tonight we picked him up, so I thought that was positive. It was one of those games where we knew we were going to get our chances if we stuck with it.”

Leo Komarov scored two goals for Toronto and William Nylander and Nazem Kadri added goals for the Leafs.

“It’s a good thing for us. We needed this game. We had a lot (of games) in the beginning where we were up and lost. Now we were down by one goal but we still kept playing, so that’s really important,” Komarov said after the win.

Nylander tied the game at 4-4 with under four minutes left in the game.

“It was right there for us, but we just couldn’t hang on to it there in the third,” Winnipeg’s Blake Wheeler said. “I think we were running on fumes a little bit, but guys battled hard tonight.”

Bryan Little, Patrik Laine (two goals) and Nikolaj Ehlers scored for the Jets.

“We don’t talk to Patrik Laine anymore; we just talk to everybody else and tell them to give him the puck. What a special, special talent,” — Jets head coach Paul Maurice said. “He’s a good man too, he’s a good young kid. He’s got lots of room to get stronger. He’s strong now, but this guy’s got another 10 to 15 pounds to put on his back and legs, and when that happens, he’s going to get all of the shots he wants off.”

Laine now has 30 goals on the season.

WATCH: All Jets vs. Maple Leafs highlights