Tonight was a warm return to the style of hockey the Toronto Maple Leafs need to play at five-on-five in a 6-4 victory against the Winnipeg Jets.
The first period was the response the Leafs needed. They were quick, physical and heavy right off the bat, outshooting the Jets 18-7 and winning their minutes in abundance at five-on-five, including a different but better-looking set of power play units. The new second line showed off results quickly with William Nylander and John Tavares putting the Leafs up 2-0 before the period was out.
Winnipeg used their power play to get back in the game with Kyle Connor scoring on two of their three second-period opportunities. Tavares answered back with another goal, making it 5-2 heading into the third.
. . .
The shots and chances were one thing, but the traffic in front of and around Hellebuyck was something else. The Leafs were the better team at five-on-five and stifled a lot of the Jets’ offence. If not for another parade to the penalty box, the Jets may not have gotten much for themselves offensively.
Even though special teams made it closer than we’d all like, this was a A- game for the Leafs.
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