Tavares gets goal for Toronto; Hellebuyck makes 35 saves for Winnipeg
via NHL.com
Mitchell Marner scored twice to help the Toronto Maple Leafs defeat the Winnipeg Jets 3-1 at Scotiabank Arena on Monday.
“We’ve got to be ready to play in tight games,” Marner said. “Every game we’ve played has been close, so we just want to make sure we keep doing the right things and playing the right way.”
John Tavares scored, and Frederik Andersen made 27 saves for the Maple Leafs (3-1-0), who have won two in a row.
Kyle Connor scored, and Connor Hellebuyck made 35 saves for the Jets (1-1-0).
Winnipeg was 0-for-4 on the power play, including 0-for-2 in the third period. Toronto has killed off its past 12 minor penalties.
“Obviously you need that goal, that tying goal, and it didn’t happen for us, so you’d be left thinking that our power play didn’t get it done,” said Jets coach Paul Maurice, who said the Maple Leafs capitalized on broken plays. “But that wouldn’t be the story of the game. I won’t assess it as what caused the loss.”
Andersen was making his third start, having allowed nine goals in his first two. He did not dress for a 3-2 win against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday so he could rest and work with goaltending coach Steve Briere.
“A little new thing we were trying,” Andersen said. “Me and Steve Briere got some good extra time on the ice to work on a few things we were talking about the night before. I thought it was good.”
Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said, “I don’t know how much we can attribute his [strong play] to [the game off]. It’s easy to say because that’s how it turned out, but it was his best game for sure, the way he tracked the puck and looked super calm in there.”
LEAFS WIN!
Kicked off the week with a win over Winnipeg!#LeafsForever #FuelledByG @Gatorade pic.twitter.com/VewVaVRnDw
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) January 19, 2021
Monday magic ✨
Check out tonight’s @OntarioLottery Game Winning Numbers. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/01ry1Mkp96
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) January 19, 2021
A big thank you to the Sole Power Choir of Toronto for helping perform tonight's anthem 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/TqN2Cjwhzh
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) January 19, 2021