Tavares nets hat trick as Maple Leafs hand Jets 1st loss
The Winnipeg Jets have been grounded.
The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Jets in a 6-4 thriller on Monday, giving Winnipeg its first loss of the season after an 8-0-0 start.
Another victory would've put the Jets within one of tying the NHL record for consecutive wins to begin a season.
| Rank | Team | Streak |
|---|---|---|
| T1 | 1993-94 Maple Leafs | 10 |
| T1 | 2006-07 Sabres | 10 |
| T3 | 2015-16 Canadiens | 9 |
| T3 | 2021-22 Hurricanes | 9 |
The Jets had also won 16 straight regular-season games dating back to the 2023-24 campaign - one shy of the NHL record set by 1992-93 Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Maple Leafs held leads of 4-0 and 5-2 but let the Jets crawl back into the game on both occasions.
Toronto's newly configured second line led the way offensively, as John Tavares scored a game-sealing empty-netter to complete a hat trick, while William Nylander and Max Pacioretty had three points apiece.
The ice was tilted in the Maple Leafs' favor for the majority of the game, as Toronto outscored Winnipeg 5-0 at five-on-five while controlling 78.4% of the expected goals, per Natural Stat Trick. The Jets scored twice on the power play - once on a delayed penalty, and once with the goalie pulled late in the game.