NHL: Winnipeg Jets at Toronto Maple Leafs - Source: Imagn

3 least impressive players from Toronto Maple Leafs' 5-2 loss to Winnipeg Jets

Modified Dec 23, 2024 22:14 GMT

The Toronto Maple Leafs lost to the Winnipeg Jets 5-2 in an all-Canadian matchup on Monday at Scotiabank Arena. The Maple Leafs dropped to 21-12-2 (44 points) with the victory, while the Jets improved to 25-10-1 (51 points), extending their Central division lead.

Both teams now head into the Christmas break after strong starts to their seasons, sitting among the top ten teams in the NHL.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have lost their last two games and will remain second in the Atlantic Division.

Jets sniper Kyle Connor opened the scoring on the power play in the opening period. He capitalized on a Mitch Marner hooking call.

Connor then scored his second of the afternoon 1:16 into the second period. Several minutes later, John Tavares tapped home a William Nylander pass on the power play to bring the Leafs within one.

That was the closest Toronto would get. Mark Scheifele scored two goals in the third period to extend the Jets lead to 4-1. Tavares then provided the Leafs some life with over six minutes remaining in the game with a wicked wrist shot, making it 4-2.

Despite a strong late-game push, Scheifele finished the game off with his hat-trick goal on the empty net, as the Leafs were unable to overcome the Jets, falling 5-2.

Perhaps the Maple Leafs have started to feel the effects of missing their captain, Auston Matthews, as they've gone 0-2-0 since he re-aggravated his injury.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will now have three days off for the holiday break. They return to action on Friday in Detroit to face the Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena. The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET.

Here are the three least impressive player performances from the Maple Leafs' 5-2 loss to the Jets.

3 least impressive players from Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 loss to Winnipeg Jets

#1. Mitch Marner

While he registered a power play assist to up his lofty point totals to 46 (10 goals, 36 assists) in 35 games, it wasn't Marner's best performance. The superstar right-winger was in the box for hooking on Kyle Connor's first goal of the afternoon on the power play. He then had his shot blocked, leading to a Jets rush where Connor buried his second tally of the game.

For such a great player, his performance wasn't up to standard. Fans are hopeful he'll rebound in the next game.

#2. Jake McCabe

Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe struggled against the Jets. The physical presence was on the ice for four Winnipeg goals, finishing with 20:14 of ice time and a -2 rating. Just wasn't his day. He managed to assist John Tavares' second goal, but it was too little too late by that point.

#3. Joseph Woll

Joseph Woll was outplayed by Connor Hellebuyck. The Leafs netminder surrendered four goals on 24 shots. This after giving up five goals in Saturday's loss to the Islanders. The Leafs need Woll to step up his play moving forward in Anthony Stolarz's absence.