Winnipeg Jets: Three Talking Points as Jets Lose 5-3 to the Maple Leafs

The Winnipeg Jets opened a two-game series at Bell MTS Place against the Toronto Maple Leafs last night. The Jets had a great opportunity to close the gap between them and the first place Leafs, with a regulation win, to two points.

Going into the game both teams received major boosts to their lineups. Jordie Benn was making his debut for the Jets, after being acquired at the trade deadline, and Blake Wheeler was returning from his six-game absence after suffering a concussion against the Ottawa Senators on April 5.

The Leafs who were on a five-game losing streak had a debut of their own. Yesterday, Nick Foligno appeared in his first game as a member of the Maple Leafs after he was traded from the Blue Jackets.

All these factors made this game a must watch between the top two teams in the North Division, but unfortunately for Winnipeg, they were not able to beat the struggling Leafs.

The Winnipeg Jets lost 5-3 to the Toronto Maple Leafs

Here are three talking points from last night’s Jets loss:

3. Jets Cannot Find a Way to Beat the Leafs on Home Ice

Last night was the third time this season the Jets hosted Toronto on home ice. The first two times these teams faced off at Bell MTS Place, it has gone Toronto’s way.

Back on March 31, after Winnipeg returned home from a seven-game road trip, the Leafs came to town and beat the Jets 3-1. It was fair to say that the Jets did not have their game that night, but Winnipeg had another opportunity two nights later to pick up two points against Toronto.

Unfortunately again, the Jets lost to Toronto but that time they were able to pick up a point as they lost in a shootout.

Many people thought yesterday was going to be the Jets’ best chance to pick up a victory in Winnipeg against the Leafs. Winnipeg was coming off a long four-day rest, while Toronto was in the midst of a road trip and a five-game losing skid.

But the Leafs were able to right their wrongs from their previous games and pick up another win in Winnipeg against the Jets.

2. Two Shots, Two Goals

Even though the Leafs were on a losing streak, right from the start of yesterday’s game they looked to get back to their usual style of play which has made them so successful this year.

Just 27 seconds into the game, Auston Matthews was able to find some quiet-ice in the neutral zone and received a great pass from Mitch Marner from their defensive zone to send Matthews on a semi-breakaway.

Matthews showed his quick release and fired a shot that beat Connor Hellebuyck on his short side to give the Leafs a 1-0 lead right out of the gate.

Less than a minute later, Toronto came into Winnipeg’s end on a three-on-two and Wayne Simmonds was able to score with a backhand shot on the rush.

Simmonds’ goal was only Toronto’s second shot of the game and gave them an early 2-0 lead less than a minute and a half into the game.

It has been a while since the Jets started a game as poorly as they did last night. Expect the Jets to come out strong from the start when these teams met again tomorrow night.

1. Campbell Shuts the Door in the Third

Losing 4-3 going into the third period, you had a feeling the Jets were going to throw everything they had at the Leafs’ net in hopes of finding an equalizing goal.

Winnipeg did exactly that but were unable to beat Jack Campbell. In total, the Jets had 14 shots in the final frame.

Campbell’s best save of the night came on a breakaway against Pierre-Luc Dubois. Dubois came in on the breakaway and made a move to his backhand, but Campbell was able to knock it away with his glove while sliding across his crease.

Campbell has had the Jets number this year. In his four games against Winnipeg, he has a 3-1-0 record and has performed extremely well.

The Jets will look to split this mini-series with Toronto tomorrow night. This matchup will be the ninth game of ten games between the sides. The Leafs led the season series 5-3.  Check back tomorrow morning for our game preview!

Winnipeg Jets Fans: What did you think of the Winnipeg Jets performance yesterday? Leave your comments below!

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