WINNIPEG— John Tavares had a hat trick and Max Pacioretty had three assists in a 6-4 Toronto Maple Leafs“Victory on Monday which ended the Winnipeg Jets‘ reigns as the only undefeated team in the NHL.

Winnipeg opened the season with a franchise record eight straight wins (8-1-0).

The Maple Leafs (5-4-1) ended a three-game winless streak (0-2-1) in front of the first full house of the season in Winnipeg at the Canada Life Centre. Many of the 15,325 fans cheered loudly while wearing Toronto jerseys.

William Nylander scored a goal and two assists and Matthew Knies And Morgane Rielly also scored for Toronto. Pacioretty’s assists came after he was moved from the fourth line to the second for the game.

Anthony Stolarz made 19 saves for the Maple Leafs.

Kyle Connor scored a hat trick and added an assist for the Jets, extending his point streak to nine games (nine goals, five assists). This mark set a franchise record for longest point streak to start a season, held by former captain. Blake Wheeler since 2015-16.

Marc Scheifele scored a goal and an assist and Josh Morrissey contributed three assists. Connor Hellebuyck stopped 30 shots for Winnipeg.

Toronto led 2-0 after the first period and 5-2 heading into the third.

Scheifele scored his sixth goal at 7:36 to make it 5-3 and Connor scored his third with 3:47 to play. Tavares fired one into the empty net with 25 seconds remaining.

TAKE AWAY

Jets: The hosts built a 4-0 lead at 3:25 of the second period with some uncharacteristic defensive breakdowns, but it could have been worse without their strong special teams play. They knocked out two penalties and Connor scored twice with the man advantage.

Maple Leafs: Toronto scored its most goals in a game this season, but all were tied. The Leafs’ power play limped into the game at 10 percent (3 for 30) and resulted in two chances.

KEY MOMENT

After scoring twice and outscoring the Jets 19-6 in the first period, Winnipeg’s coverage in the slot was loose and Knies fired in a rebound to make it 3-0 just 56 seconds into the second commitment.

KEY STATUS

The Maple Leafs limited the Jets to 23 shots on goal and blocked 18 shots.

FOLLOWING

Maple Leafs: welcome him Seattle Kraken THURSDAY.

Jets: Visit Detroit Red Wings Wednesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published October 28, 2024.