The Winnipeg Jets opened some early Christmas gifts on Monday, December 23, 2024, with a convincing 5-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Mark Scheifele stole the spotlight with his 10th career hat trick, helping the Jets snap their six-game losing streak against the Leafs and end the match on a high note before the holiday break.
The win improved the Jets' record to 25-10-1, making them the first team in the NHL this season to reach the coveted 50-point mark. With the victory, the Jets solidified their position as the leaders of the Central Division and the NHL, putting them one point ahead of last season's pace.
Things looked promising for the Jets early on, with Kyle Connor scoring the opening goal on the power play after gathering the rebound of his own shot to beat goaltender Joseph Woll. Connor, who had two goals and two assists, found the net first at 16:04 of the first period, marking his 20th goal of the season.
Connor didn’t wait long to add to his tally, netting his second goal just over a minute later. This time, he converted on Scheifele’s perfect backhand pass during a two-on-one rush, giving the Jets a well-earned 2-0 lead to start the second period.
But the Leafs clawed back when John Tavares scored his first of two goals on the night. He capitalized on the man-advantage when Mason Appleton received a double minor penalty for high-sticking. Tavares tapped home a well-placed pass from Mitch Marner to cut the lead to 2-1.
The game shifted back to the Jets later when Scheifele showcased his scoring prowess. At 3:27 of the third period, he redirected Gabriel Vilardi’s backhand pass to stretch the lead back to two. Scheifele followed with his contagious energy to score another, muscling the puck past Woll after receiving the pass from Josh Morrissey.
Tavares struck once more for the Leafs to bring the score to 4-2, but Scheifele completed his hat trick with an empty-net goal, sealing the game as the final horn echoed through the arena.
The post-game reflections from the Jets players illustrated their relief and excitement after tasting victory against their long-time rivals again. “It’s good to get a win, especially right before Christmas,” said Scheifele. “We were excited to get another crack at them to show how we can play.”
Head coach Scott Arniel praised the performance of his top line. “They were outstanding. When your best players are your best players, it goes a long way,” he mentioned, alluding to the impressive combined efforts of Scheifele and Connor throughout the game, which led to all five of their team’s goals and ten points.
Despite the success on the ice, the victory didn’t come without its challenges for the Jets. Defenseman Haydn Fleury left the game late in the second period with what appeared to be a lower-body injury. His absence left the team to finish the match with five defensemen, necessitating adjustments throughout the lineup.
Meanwhile, the Leafs’ bench was depleted; they played their second straight game without captain Auston Matthews, who is nursing an upper-body injury. Despite showing flashes of good play, Toronto’s inability to capitalize on opportunities cost them dearly, and they fell to 21-12-2 on the season, leading to their second consecutive defeat.
Notes surfaced from the game highlighting Connor’s consistent scoring streak, as he has now registered 20-plus goals for eight consecutive seasons. Scheifele's second goal marked his 20th this season as well, continuing his streak of achieving 20 or more goals for ten straight seasons.
Also noteworthy was Tavares’ achievement of scoring his 200th goal for the Maple Leafs, becoming the fifth player ever to do so for two different teams.
Despite the loss, Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube expressed optimism for his squad, emphasizing their overall improved gameplay this season even without their top scorer. “We’ve made strides, but we need to clean up some mistakes,” he remarked.
Both teams are set to take time off for the holiday break before returning to action. The Maple Leafs are back on the ice on December 27 against the Detroit Red Wings, whilst the Jets will host the Ottawa Senators on December 28.
Heading toward the second half of the season, the Jets are hopeful to maintain their momentum, demonstrating great depth, skill, and determination. The victory against Toronto is not just another win; it serves as motivation as they look to secure their place at the top of the standings and continue their success.
