On New Years Day, the Toronto Maple Leafs mounted a comeback after being down 4-1 to defeat the Winnipeg Jets 6-5. On Saturday night, in the second and final game between the two teams this season, the Maple Leafs came back after being down 3-1 to defeat the Jets 4-3 in overtime.
After a mostly uneventful first 40 minutes featuring goals from Alex Iafallo and Kyle Connor on the Jets’ side and Auston Matthews on the Maple Leafs’ side, the Jets scored early in the third period to extend their lead to 3-1. Oliver Ekman-Larsson answered for Toronto shortly afterwards, and with just under five minutes to play in regulation, Bobby McMann redirected a shot from Oliver Ekman-Larsson to beat Connor Hellebuyck.
The Maple Leafs escaped disaster in the final minutes of the game after the Jets picked up a power play with a couple of minutes remaining. A rebound popped out in front of Dennis Hildeby and Jonathan Toews banked it off of the inside of the post, before the ensuing chaos knocked the puck into the corner. In overtime, the Maple Leafs controlled the majority of the chances before Matthews dished it to Max Domi for the game winner.
It was a solid night for Domi and Matthews, who both finished the night with a goal and an assist, and an even better night for Ekman-Larsson, who continues to have a career year offensively with a goal and two assists in the tilt. The Swedish veteran now leads all Leafs blueliners in goals and points with eight and 31, respectively, in 48 games.
With the win, the Maple Leafs sweep the Jets in the season series, with the second win coming in a more impressive fashion considering the Jets have turned it on lately. It’s a shame that, to Mark Scheifele, there’s nothing better than beating the Leafs, because they’ll have to wait until 2026-27 for their next opportunity,
PRESENTED BY OFF THE ROSTER
Introducing Off The Roster—Toronto Sports, Unfiltered! Toronto sports fans, your new favourite conversation has arrived. Hosted by Cabbie Richards, Lindsay Dunn, and Dan Riccio, Off The Roster dives into the city’s legendary plays, brutal trades, OG jerseys, celebrity tweets, and everything in between. Raw, fun, and totally unfiltered, this is Toronto sports like you’ve never heard it before. Tune in live every weekday morning on the Nation Network YouTube channel, or catch episodes wherever you stream podcasts. Proudly brought to you by our founding partner, PROLINE. Off The Roster—the new sound in the 6ix.