35/82: December 23rd vs. WPG

Final Score: Leafs 2, Jets 5

Kyle Connor added two goals of his own, the first coming on a power-play in the opening frame.

The Leafs have not made a habit of losing two in a row this season, this latest instance only being the third such streak of the year. Head coach Craig Berube has this team playing different than they did before and he’s been anything but shy in media scrums after poor performances.

Of course, it’s all about playoff performance with this team.

John Tavares added two goals of his own. He became one of a short list of players to score 200+ goals with two separate franchises. Despite the loss, it’s likely a game he won’t forget soon.

The Leafs again chose to play a physical brand of hockey, getting 29 hits compared to 15 for Winnipeg. It didn’t translate to the scoreboard but it’s welcome to see a Leafs team that won’t get pushed around on the ice.

Not having Chris Tanev in the lineup is perhaps the biggest difference, defensively. He takes on so much responsibility himself every shift and it becomes difficult to replicate that with anyone else. The Jets blocked 22 shot attempts. The Leafs only got in the way of six Jets shots.

The third is where this game got away from Toronto. A 2-1 Jets lead after 40 seemed like a much bigger hill to climb with Connor Hellebuyck finishing with 23 saves on 25 shots against. He leads the NHL in goals against average (2.07), save percentage (tied with Anthony Stolarz at .927), and shutouts (four).

Winnipeg got revenge on the Leafs for snapping their amazing winning streak at the start of the year.

Question(s) for the Jets: With Hellebuyck playing at an incomparable level, how many games will be play? If he plays close to 60 in the regular season, how much will he have left in the gas tank for the playoffs? We saw what happened last season.

The Leafs head to the Motor City to play the Red Wings Friday. 7pm puck drop.