John Tavares scored a hat trick and the Toronto Maple Leafs stopped the Winnipeg Jets’ eight-game winning streak with a 6-4 victory at Canada Life Centre.
Tavares took advantage of a scrum in front of the net to open the scoring midway through the first period and William Nylander, author of a goal and two assists, scored the other goal in the first period.
Matthew Knies, from the first minute of the second period, and Morgan Rielly, thanks to a magnificent backhand pass from Nylander and a perfect shot into the top corner, made it 4-0.
Kyle Connor (two goals, two assists) reduced the deficit by scoring two power play goals in just over five minutes, but Tavares came back at 17:53.
Connor has been on the scoresheet in each of the Jets’ games so far, with eight goals and six assists. He thus broke Blake Wheeler’s franchise record for the longest streak of consecutive games with at least one point to start a season.
Mark Scheifele and Gabriel Vilardi (one goal, one assist each) closed the gap 5-4 in the third period, but it was ultimately the many fans of the Maple Leafs (5-4-1) who celebrated when Tavares completed the scores in an empty net.
Defenseman Josh Morrissey registered three assists for the Jets (8-1-0), who have lost their last six games against the Maple Leafs. Connor Hellebuyck gave up five times on 35 shots in the loss.
Max Pacioretty finished the game with three assists and Anthony Stolarz stopped 19 pucks for the Maple Leafs, who had lost their previous three games.
Swiss
