I just liked how we were able to stay with it. It was a different type of game than we’ve played, and we just stayed with it. We waited to get our chances and when we did, we made good on a couple of them. As you said, a combination of great goaltending, good defensive play, a little bit of luck and opportunistic players. They made good on their chances.
On the benefit for the team mentally from winning more of a low scoring game:
Yeah, I think it’s really good. I think it’s really healthy for our team in a lot of ways. Like I said, it’s a different type of game, offence is harder to come by as we expected it would be coming into the game. I just liked that our guys didn’t get frustrated with that first period. Not a lot going on. We just stayed with it. We gave up some chances and got saves which was good. Then when we got our chances, we made good on them. It would have been nice to get the goal on the breakaway early in the game, it might have been a different game if that’s the case, but we didn’t and it wasn’t, so we just had to stay patient and like it. We have to find a way to win the boring games too sometimes.
On if he has reflected on the significance of going 15-4-1 in his first 20 games as Maple Leafs coach:
No, I haven’t really. Every day brings a new challenge and, I said it before and I still believe it, we’re still not close to where I think we can get to. I think we’ve got a lot of room to grow as a team. That’s exciting and that’s what keeps us working. As a coach at various levels, I’ve had a lot of experience with coaching teams that go on stretches and runs like this. You recognize that you’re not going to be satisfied. You’ve got to continue to work and continue to get better and find the things that you can improve upon and I think that’s what we come to work every day to do.
On where the team can improve:
Well, in all areas, really. I think our play in terms of our ability to come out of our end, I think that can improve. I think being good and diligent in games like this today. It’s an area where it’s a low event game and not much happening. You can still defend well enough to give ourselves enough time to wait for our chance to come. Special teams, all those types of things, I think, can go a long way. But that’s not to say we didn’t have positives because there certainly is. We’ve been doing a lot of really good things. We’ve been resilient as a group, even though we’ve lost players to injury. We created a little extra adversity for our team today going into it, obviously, giving Freddie the day off and putting Hutch in. That raises the awareness of the team a little bit and creates some extra challenge there in terms of not having Freddie who has been so great for us and then Hutch who is trying to find his way. Clearly, he did today.
PIERRE ENGVALL (1 GOAL)
On his goal:
On the goal I just tried to hold onto it for a second to get the goalie moving and I think I found a spot there. So, it was really nice to see it go in. Obviously, [Kapanen] makes a — I don’t know what to say about that play — but it’s pretty good.
On the play Kapanen made to get him the puck before he scored:
Every time I see [Kapanen] go to the net with the puck with that speed I just try to catch up and be ready to shoot the puck. When I saw it, I was like, ‘sick play.’
MICHAEL HUTCHINSON (33 SAVES)
On his performance tonight:
Yeah, I obviously felt pretty good tonight. I felt really, really relaxed out there. I thought it was good to build off of the Detroit game in the New Jersey game. It was nice to get the win on that, but with the circumstances of the break and travelling same day it was getting more — personally, it felt like you had to battle through a lot of stuff. So coming in here and getting back into an actual game routine to be able to take the Detroit game and build off that for myself was huge. It was a lot of fun out there tonight. The guys played extremely hard. I thought we did a really good job defensively, we really made them have to work to try and generate chances. And then the guys bailed me out on a couple huge plays too.
On what he has done to put himself in a better headspace at this point in the season:
Yeah, it’s everything, really. It’s kind of resetting and knowing you can’t change anything that happened earlier in the season. But the team is playing great. I’ve been able to come to the rink positive every single day. Even when I’m not playing, enjoying the wins, enjoying the successes that other guys are having, whether they’re scoring goals or Freddie’s making big saves, getting wins. So, when you do that it’s eventually it’s going to come around to you. We’ve been playing so well as a group that now, it’s nice for myself to be a part of that and be able to contribute to those wins.
MITCH MARNER (2 ASSISTS)
On tonight’s defensive effort:
Yeah, it was good, I think we were coming back and we were getting quickly out of our zone. That team’s a heavy forechecking team, they get in on the forecheck hard and that’s how they create all their offence. I think we made it important to come back, talk to each other, try and find the exit quickly and get back on the forecheck. I thought we did a good job of that tonight.
On the bench’s reaction to Kapanen’s play to set up the opening goal:
I think like everyone else in the crowd. That’s a hell of a move by him and a hell of a pass as well to get it through to Pierre and that started us all off. It was a great play by him.
AUSTON MATTHEWS (1 GOAL, 1 ASSIST)
On the play of Hutchinson:
He was just dialed in. I think when we gave up good chances to their team he came up with some big saves. I know Hutch was all-time for us tonight. All the credit goes to him, he made some huge saves that kept us in the game, and we were able to capitalize on a couple chances and, I mean, he played unbelievable.
On the play that set up his goal tonight:
I just saw him get the puck and he’s got pretty good vision, so I just had a feeling he was going to throw the puck towards the middle and I just kind of tried to deflect it. I think it went off my stick, went off their stick and kind of trickled in the net, so, pretty fortunate there. Think I just had a feeling he was going to try and get the puck in that area and I just tried to make the most of it
Pierre Engvall opened the scoring for the Maple Leafs at 13:25 of the second period. Engvall has goals (2) in two consecutive games. He has three goals over his last four games. He has scored four of his six goals in six games against Metropolitan Division teams.
Auston Matthews scored the second Toronto goal of the game at 16:07 of the second period before picking up the secondary assist on Zach Hyman’s third period goal. Matthews has assists (4) and points (4-4-8) in four consecutive games. Tonight’s game is his 17th multi-point performance of the season. He has seven goals and four assists for 11 points in 11 career games against the Islanders. He leads the NHL in 5-on-5 goals (19) and even-strength goals (21).
Zach Hyman scored the third Maple Leafs goal of the night into an empty net at 17:52 of the third period. Hyman has nine points (4 goals, 5 assists) in eight games played on home ice this season. He has 13 points (8-5-13) over his last 14 games played.
Kasperi Kapanen had the lone assist on Engvall’s second period goal. Kapanen has points (1-2-3) in two consecutive games. He has five points (2-3-5) over his last five games played. He has 11 points (5-6-11) in 14 games against Metropolitan Division teams, which is his highest point total against a single division in 2019-20.
Mitch Marner registered the primary assist on Matthews’ second period goal and later had the primary assist on Hyman’s third period goal. Marner has points (1-4-5) in four consecutive games. Tonight’s game is his 11th multi-point performance of the season. In 14 games since returning to the lineup from injury on December 4, he has recorded 22 points (7 goals, 15 assists). He has 16 points (7-9-15) in 11 games against Metropolitan Division opposition.
Justin Holl collected the secondary assist on Matthews’ second period goal. Holl has 12 points (1-11-12) in 41 games this season. He has two goals and an assist in four career games against the Islanders.
Michael Hutchinson stopped all 33 shots he faced to earn his first shutout of 2019-20.
The Maple Leafs went 1-for-1 on the penalty kill and did not have a power play tonight.
Toronto did not have a power play for the third time this season.
The Maple Leafs’ line of Frederik Gauthier, Mason Marchment and Dmytro Timashov were the lone Toronto skaters to not start a 5-on-5 shift in the offensive zone.
Morgan Rielly was on the ice for a team-high 28 Toronto shot attempts-for at 5-on-5 tonight. Rielly finished the game with a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 63.6 percent (28 for, 16 against).
John Tavares won 83 percent (5 won, 1 lost) of his faceoffs when matched up with New York forward Brock Nelson.
UPCOMING GAMES:
Monday, January 6, 7:00 p.m. vs. Edmonton Oilers (TSN4, TSN 1050)
Wednesday, January 8, 7:30 p.m. vs. Winnipeg Jets (Sportsnet, FAN 590)
Sunday, January 12, 7:00 p.m. at Florida Panthers (Sportsnet, TSN 1050)
Tuesday, January 14, 7:00 p.m. vs. New Jersey Devils (Sportsnet Ontario, TSN 1050)
Thursday, January 16, 7:00 p.m. vs. Calgary Flames (TSN4, FAN 590)
SCOTIABANK ARENA (TORONTO, ON) â–ª TV: SPORTSNET/HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA â–ª
RADIO: TSN 1050
MAPLE LEAFS HISTORY versus NEW YORK
ALL-TIME RECORD:
73-68-7-10 (158 Games)
ALL-TIME AT HOME:
42-30-4-4 (80 Games)
2019-20:
0-1-0
LAST FIVE:
2-3-0
LAST 10:
5-4-1
MAPLE LEAFS CAREER LEADERS versus NEW YORK
GAMES PLAYED:
Jason Spezza (40), Morgan Rielly (18), Cody Ceci (17)
GOALS:
Jason Spezza (17), Auston Matthews (6), Mitch Marner (4), William Nylander (4)
ASSISTS:
Jason Spezza (24), Tyson Barrie (7), Jake Muzzin (5), Morgan Rielly (5)
POINTS:
Jason Spezza (41), Auston Matthews (9), Mitch Marner (8), William Nylander (8)
PENALTY MINUTES:
Jason Spezza (16), Jake Muzzin (10), Auston Matthews (8)
MAPLE LEAFS – ISLANDERS TEAM STATS
TORONTO
NEW YORK
GOALS FOR (Rank):
151 (t-1st)
112 (25th)
GOALS AGAINST (Rank):
133 (22nd)
101 (t-1st)
POWER PLAY [%] (Rank):
28/116 [24.4%] (5th)
18/92 [19.6%] (17th)
PENALTY KILL [%] (Rank):
92/122 [75.4%] (26th)
91/112 [81.4%] (t-11th)
SHOTS (Rank):
1413 (4th)
1115 (31st)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPTS FOR (Rank):
2150 (2nd)
1663 (28th)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT % (Rank):
52.8% (5th)
46.1% (30th)
FACEOFF % (Rank):
52.4% (t-3rd)
50.0% (t-16th)
MAPLE LEAFS – ISLANDERS NOTES
FIRST MATCHUP BETWEEN CLUBS:
January 10, 1973 vs. New York (Maple Leafs 4, Islanders 1)
ALL-TIME RECORD:
73-68-7-10 (158 Games)
ALL-TIME RECORD AT HOME:
42-30-4-4 (80 Games)
ALL-TIME RECORD ON THE ROAD:
31-38-3-6 (78 Games)
LAST WIN VS. OPPONENT AT HOME:
February 22, 2018 (Toronto 4, New York 3 SO)
MAPLE LEAFS MILESTONES vs. ISLANDERS
Travis Dermott
First NHL goal (January 31, 2018 vs. NYI)
Justin Holl
First NHL game (January 31, 2018 vs. NYI) First NHL goal (January 31, 2018 vs. NYI)
Jake Muzzin
200th career NHL game (March 26, 2015 (LAK) at NYI)
Jason Spezza
500th NHL point (February 15, 2011 (OTT) vs. NYI)
John Tavares
Selected by NYI in the first round (1st overall) of the 2009 NHL Draft Had 621 points (272 goals, 349 assists) in 669 games for NYI from 2009-18. 100th point as a Maple Leaf (November 13, 2019 at NYI)
MAPLE LEAFS LEADERS
CATEGORY
LEADER
GOALS
27 (Matthews)
ASSISTS
27 (Marner)
POINTS
49 (Matthews)
POWER PLAY POINTS
15 (Matthews)
SHORTHANDED POINTS
2 (Engvall, Kapanen)
PIMs
34 (Muzzin)
SHOTS
152 (Matthews)
FACEOFF WIN%
57.9% (Gauthier)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT %
55.7% (Nylander)
BLOCKED SHOTS
69 (Muzzin)
TAKEAWAYS
46 (Marner)
HITS
87 (Muzzin)
TOI PER GAME
24:20 (Rielly)
PP TOI PER GAME
3:05 (Marner)
SH TOI PER GAME
3:02 (Ceci)
MAPLE LEAFS PLAYER NOTES
Frederik Andersen
– Is 9-4-4 at home this season with a 3.00 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage. – Has made 10 career appearances against the Islanders and is 7-2-1 with a 2.87 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage.- Leads the NHL lead in wins (21).- Leads the NHL in saves (961) and ranks second in even-strength saves (810).- Fifth in the NHL in shootout saves (11).
Tyson Barrie
– Had nine points (1 goal, 8 assists) in 13 games during the month of December, which was tied for the 13th-highest point total among NHL defencemen in December.- Averaging 14.3 shot attempts per 60 minutes of ice time, which is the seventh-highest average among NHL defencemen who have appeared in 30 games.- Averaging 7.5 shots on goal per 60 minutes of ice time, which is tied for the fifth-highest average among NHL defencemen who have appeared in 30 games. – Has an on-ice shot attempt differential of plus-111, which is 16th among NHL defencemen.
Cody Ceci
– 10th among NHL skaters in shorthanded time on ice (127:29).- Has played 62.3 percent of Toronto’s shorthanded ice time, which is tied for the 12th-highest shorthanded time on ice percentage among NHLers who have appeared in at least 30 games.
Justin Holl
– Has started 45.0 percent of his 5-on-5 shifts in the offensive zone, which is the lowest mark among Toronto defencemen who have appeared in at least 20 games.- Has an unblocked shot attempt percentage of 53.7 percent at 5-on-5, which is the highest percentage among Toronto defencemen who have appeared in at least 20 games.- Has a 5-on-5 on-ice goals-for percentage of 56.3 percent, which is the highest percentage among Maple Leafs defencemen.
Michael Hutchinson
– Second among NHL goaltenders who have appeared in 10 or fewer games in saves (250). Hutchinson is 0-0-1 with a 4.09 goals-against average and an .833 save percentage in two career games against the Islanders. Last Appearance (Dec. 27 at NJD): Shots (28); Saves (24) 2019-20: Recalled from the Toronto Marlies on Nov. 25. In his second season as a Maple Leaf after being acquired in a trade with Florida on December 29, 2018. Games lost to Injury: 0 NHL Single-Game Highs: Saves (45 – Oct. 29, 2015 WPG vs. CHI); Shots (46 – Oct. 29, 2015 WPG vs. CHI) Career as a Maple Leaf: 14 GP, 4-8-1
Zach Hyman
– Has a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 53.6 percent, which is tied for seventh among Toronto skaters who have played 20 games.- Has an on-ice goals for percentage of 55.5 percent at 5-on-5, which is tied for sixth among Toronto skaters who have played 20 games. – Averaging 15:17 per game in 5-on-5 ice time, which ranks seventh among Maple Leafs.
Kasperi Kapanen
– Has scored 10 goals this season, which is tied for 10th most among NHLers with no power play goals.- Tied for sixth among Toronto skaters in even-strength points (8-10-18).
Alex Kerfoot
– Tied for sixth among Maple Leafs in even-strength goals (6). – Ninth among Maple Leafs in even-strength points (6-8-14).- Only Toronto forward to have recorded at least 25 hits (29) and 25 blocked shots (25) this season.
Mitch Marner
– Averaging 1.23 points per game, which is the 10th-highest average among NHLers who have played in at least 30 games.- Averaging 1.22 primary assists per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5, which is 11th among NHLers who have appeared in at least 30 games.- Tied for 16th in the NHL in primary assists (16).- Recorded 19 points (6 goals, 13 assists) in 12 games during the month of December, which was the fourth-highest point total in the NHL. – Tied for 10th among NHL forwards in shifts per game (25.2).
Auston Matthews
– Second among NHL skaters in goals (27).- First NHLer to score 20 even-strength goals this season, which leads the League.- Leads the NHL in goals scored at 5-on-5 (18).- 11th among NHL skaters in even-strength points (20-14-34).- Ninth in the NHL with 152 shots on goal.- Scored 11 goals during the month of December, which was tied for the NHL lead in goals in December.
William Nylander
– Averages 1.28 goals per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5, which ranks second among Toronto skaters.- One of 10 NHLers to average at least 14:00 minutes per game at 5-on-5 (14:31) while maintaining a goal per 60-minute rate of at least 1.2 (1.28).- Has recorded eight points (4-4-8) in 11 career games against the Islanders.
Morgan Rielly
– Tied for 11th among NHL defencemen in even-strength points (3-15-18).- Tied for fourth among NHL defencemen in assists recorded at 5-on-5 (14).- 13th among NHL skaters in TOI per game (24:20).- Tied for eighth among NHL skaters in shifts per game (28.5).- Averaging 14.3 shot attempts per 60 minutes of ice time, which ranks eighth among NHL defencemen who have appeared in at least 30 games.
Jason Spezza
– Averaging 2.36 points per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5 this season, which is the fifth-highest average among Toronto skaters.- Averaging 1.07 primary assists per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time in 2019-20, which ranks second on the Maple Leafs and is the 27th-highest average among NHLers who have appeared in at least 25 games.
John Tavares
– Named the NHL’s Third Star of the Week for the week ending Dec. 29 after recording seven points (2 goals, 5 assists) in three games, including a pair of three-point performances.- Tied for 12th among NHL centres in goals (16) and tied for 16th among NHL centres in points (36).- Averaging 17.8 shot attempts per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5, which is the third-highest average among NHL centres who have appeared in 20 games.- Averaging 9.3 shots on goal at 5-on-5 per 60 minutes of ice time, which is ninth among NHL centres who have appeared in 20 games.
CURRENT POINT STREAKS
Tyson Barrie
Has assists (6) and points (1-6-7) in five consecutive games.
Travis Dermott
Has points (1-1-2) in two consecutive games.
Alex Kerfoot
Has points (1-2-3) in two consecutive games.
Mitch Marner
Has assists (2) in two consecutive games.
Auston Matthews
Has assists (3) and points (3-3-6) in three consecutive games.
William Nylander
Has assists (5) in four consecutive games and goals (6) and points (6-5-11) in five consecutive games.
John Tavares
Has assists (8) and points (3-8-11) in six consecutive games.
UPCOMING MILESTONES
Jason Spezza
Five games from 1,100 NHL games
RECENT MILESTONES
Frederik Andersen
20,000 career minutes (December 28 vs NYR)
Adam Brooks
First NHL game (December 28 vs. NYR)
Adam Brooks
First NHL point (Assist) (January 2 at WPG)
Alex Kerfoot
100th NHL point (December 31 at MIN)
Mason Marchment
First NHL game (January 2 at WPG)
William Nylander
200th NHL point (Goal) (January 2 at WPG)
INJURY REPORT
Andreas Johnsson (Leg)
On injured reserve.
Ilya Mikheyev (Wrist Laceration)
On injured reserve.
Trevor Moore (Concussion)
On injured reserve.
Jake Muzzin (Foot)
Is week-to-week with a broken foot sustained on December 27 at New Jersey.
Man Games Lost: 91
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
January 1
Recalled forward Mason Marchment from the Toronto Marlies (AHL).
December 30
Loaned defenceman Timothy Liljegren to the Toronto Marlies (AHL).
December 30
Recalled defencemen Teemu Kivihalme and Timothy Liljegren from the Toronto Marlies (AHL).
December 29
Loaned forward Kenny Agostino and defenceman Timothy Liljegren to the Toronto Marlies (AHL).
ISLANDERS NOTES
LAST GAME: Dec. 31, 2019 – NYI 1 vs NJD 2 SUMMARY: Nico Hischier scored the game-winning goal 1:09 into the third period to help the New Jersey Devils top the New York Islanders 2-1 on Thursday night on Long Island. Scott Mayfield skated in his 200th NHL game, while Brock Nelson scored in his second straight game in the loss.
NYI vs TOR SEASON SERIES: NY Islanders are 1-0-0 Nov. 13, 2019: NYI 5 vs. TOR 4 Jan. 04, 2020: Toronto, ON Mar. 19, 2020: Toronto, ON
TONIGHT’S MATCHUP: Tonight, The Islanders travel to Toronto to face the Maple Leafs for the second of three meetings this season. In November, New York head off a Toronto rally in the third period to win, 5-4. Derick Brassard and Anthony Beauvillier factored in on three of the five goals, while Casey Cizikas scored his lone game-winning goal of the season. Tonight is the Isles’ first of two appearances this season on Hockey Night in Canada.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS: 01/03/19: Adam Pelech was placed on IR. Sebastian Aho was recalled from Bridgeport (AHL) 12/27/19: Andrew Ladd was returned to Bridgeport. 12/23/19: Cal Clutterbuck out indefinitely with an injury. 12/21/19: Andrew Ladd was recalled from Bridgeport (AHL) 12/19/19: Tom Kuhnhackl was removed from LTIR 12/17/19: Oliver Wahlstrom was been reassigned to USA Hockey (from AHL) for the World Junior Championships. 12/16/19: Tom Kuhnhackl was recalled from loan (Bridgeport). 12/05/19: Tom Kuhnhackl was played on LTIR and loaned to Bridgeport 11/06/19: Otto Koivula was returned to Bridgeport (AHL). 11/14/19: Andrew Ladd was assigned to Bridgeport (AHL). 11/14/19: Andrew Ladd was placed on waivers 11/12/19: Leo Komarov was activated off the team’s IR list.
NEW YORK ISLANDERS INJURIES
**Players on injured reserve
PLAYER DATE 2019-20 GAMES MISSED CAL CLUTTERBUCK 12/21/19 6 ADAM PELECH 01/02/20 1
NOTE: 01/03/20 – Islanders Injury/Transaction Update: Adam Pelech sustained an injury to his Achilles tendon prior to the team’s game on Thursday, Jan. 2 vs. the New Jersey Devils. Pelech is out for the remainder of the regular season.
MAN GAMES LOST TO INJURY: 2019-20 Season: 96 2018-19 Season: 153
-TODAY’S GAME NOTES – – – – – – – – – – – –
The New York Islanders are 22-1-2 this season when scoring at least three goals in the game (including OT winners). They are 3-101 when they do not. The Islanders are 60-3-4 when scoring three or more under Barry Trotz.
In 2019… – Seven New York Islanders played in all 82-games during the 2019 calendar year: J. Bailey, M. Barzal, A. Beauvillier, A. Lee, B. Nelson, R. Pulock & D. Toews – The New York Islanders recorded 52 wins in the 2019 calendar year, good for T-3rd in the NHL this past year. Their 52 wins also ties a franchise record for most wins in a single calendar year (1978 & 1982).
TONIGHT… – Islanders forward Anthony Beauvillier tallied a pair of goals in the Islanders’ 5-4 win over Toronto in November. Beauvillier, 22, has four points in four games against the Maple Leafs since the start of the 2018-19 season. The Sorel-Tracy, QC native, is two assists shy of matching his career-high (15). He ranks third on the Islanders with 23 points (10G, 13A) through 39 games.
-Mathew Barzal leads the team in goals (16), assists (18), points (34) through 39 games, including seven points (3G, 4A) in his last six games. On Monday, Barzal, 22, was selected to represent the Islanders in his second straight NHL All-Star weekend. The Coquitlam, BC native has nine points (5G, 4A) in seven career games against Toronto, including two points (1G, 1A) in the November meeting earlier this season.
-On On Dec. 27th in Chicago, Mathew Barzal played in his 200th consecutive NHL game. The milestone marks the first time since November 1978 the Islanders have had three players with active 200+ consecutive game streaks.
Anders Lee, Brock Nelson and Mathew Barzal are three of only 32 active NHL players that currently hold ironman streaks of 200+ games. Anders Lee has played in 239 consecutive NHL games, good for longest on the team and 15th longest in the league (B. Nelson— 216, M. Barzal— 203).
Second-year Islanders captain Anders Lee is the team’s reigning Ironman at 239 consecutive games. Since his rookie season in 2013-14, Lee ranks in the Top Ten among all American-born players in goals (163). Drafted by the Islanders in 2009, Lee ranks second among all active sixth-round draft picks in goals and is top ten in games played and points.
2018 Calder Trophy winner Mathew Barzal has led the team in both points and assists through each of his first two (full) seasons in the NHL. Barzal, 22, has appeared in every Islanders game since his 2017-18 rookie season.
Brock Nelson is one of two players in the NHL with three overtime GWG this season. His three overtime winners are equal to the total amount of OT GWGs he has in his six prior NHL season combined.
In October, longest tenured Islander Josh Bailey became just the second player & first forward from the 2008 draft class to reach the 800-games played milestone (D. Doughty). Bailey ranks 5th in all-time franchise games played.
22-year-old forward Anthony Beauvillier (1st RD, 28th overall) ranks in the top 15 among 2015 draftees in games played (257) and in goals (58).
Since making his NHL debut last season (Dec. 23 vs DAL), Devon Toews is one of seven defensemen in the NHL to have recorded multiple overtime game-winning goals. Toews ranks seventh among all 2014 drafted defensemen in career points (31), despite having played 60+ fewer games than the next closest player ahead of him.
Ryan Pulock is just the fourth defenseman in franchise history to appear in 166 consecutive games. Pulock is the Islanders reigning ironman on defense dating back to Dec. 2017.
11-year NHL veteran and 6th year Islanders goaltender Thomas Greiss ranks fifth in Islanders’ franchise history in wins (96), sixth in shutouts (10) and sixth in games-played (181).
19-year-old rookie defenseman and 2018 First Round draft pick Noah Dobson recorded an assist and plus-1 rating in his NHL debut on 10/08/19 vs Edmonton. With the assist, the Summerside, PEI native became the first NYI defenseman to record a point in his NHL debut since 2011 (M. Katic). Dobson also became the first teenage defenseman to play for the Islanders since 1999 (M. Biron).
MILESTONES REACHED THIS SEASON:
JOSH BAILEY – 800th NHL GAME – Oct. 08, 2019 vs EDM NOAH DOBSON – 1st NHL GAME – Oct. 08, 2019 vs EDM NOAH DOBSON – 1st NHL POINT – Oct. 08, 2019 vs EDM OLIVER WAHLSTROM – 1st NHL GAME – Oct. 14, 2019 vs STL COLE BARDREAU – 1st NHL GAME – Oct. 19 at CBJ CAL CLUTTERBUCK – 800th NHL GAME – Nov. 2 at BUF DERICK BRASSARD – 800th NHL GAME – Nov. 5 vs OTT JOSH BAILEY – 300th ASSIST – Nov. 13 vs TOR ANTHONY BEAUVILLIER – 100 POINTS – Nov. 16 at PHI CASEY CIZIKAS – 500th NHL GAME – Nov 19, 2019 at PIT BROCK NELSON – 500th NHL Game – Nov 21 vs PIT MATHEW BARZAL – 200th NHL GAME – Dec. 22 vs ANA RYAN PULOCK – 200th NHL GAME – Dec. 22 vs ANA NICK LEDDY – 300th POINTS – Dec. 29 at MIN SCOTT MAYFIELD – 200th NHL GAME – Jan 2 vs NJD
MULTI-POINT GAMES: BROCK NELSON – 10 MATHEW BARZAL – 9 ANTHONY BEAUVILLIER – 7 JOSH BAILEY – 6 ANDERS LEE – 6 DERICK BRASSARD – 5 JORDAN EBERLE – 5 NICK LEDDY – 3 RYAN PULOCK – 3 CASEY CIZIKAS – 3 CAL CLUTTERBUCK – 1 ADAM PELECH -1 JOHNNY BOYCHUK – 1 MATT MARTIN – 1
MULTI-GOAL GAMES: ANTHONY BEAUVILLIER -2 PLAYER MILESTONE NEEDS JOHNNY BOYCHUK 700 Games 11 CASEY CIZIKAS 100 Assists 3 JORDAN EBERLE 700 Games 5 LEO KOMAROV 100 Assists 4 NICK LEDDY 700 Games 9 BROCK NELSON – 3 CASEY CIZIKAS – 1 MATHEW BARZAL – 1 JORDAN EBERLE – 1 NICK LEDDY – 1
MULTI ASSIST GAMES: DERICK BRASSARD -4 JORDAN EBERLE – 4 BROCK NELSON – 2 RYAN PULOCK – 2 MATHEW BARZAL – 1 ANTHONY BEAUVILLIER -2 ANDERS LEE – 1 NICK LEDDY -2
TOI LEADER: Record when that player leads the team in TOI Adam Pelech: 8-2-0 Ryan Pulock: 12-3-2 Nick Leddy: 0-2-0 Devon Toews: 3-3-0 Scott Mayfield: 1-1-0 Brock Nelson: 1-0-0 Mathew Barzal: 1-0-0
IRONMAN STREAKS: Anders Lee: 239 Brock Nelson: 216 Mathew Barzal: 203 Ryan Pulock: 166 Josh Bailey: 124
NYI COACHES CHALLENGES Last Season Trotz was 4-1 2019-20: 2-1 Offsides on PIT (Successful) – Nov. 19 at PIT Offsides on TBL (Successful) – Dec. 9 at TBL Goaltender INT (Unsuccessful) – Dec 22 vs ANA
WINNIPEG — Don’t ever doubt that Frederik Andersen isn’t deserving of his spot in the National Hockey League all-star game this month. Read More
Yeah, I think that’s part of it. Obviously, it wasn’t a good second period at all. The back half of the first period wasn’t very good either. We were very opportunistic here. It started with a great start. We get up 2-0 — it could have been four or five there with a little more luck around the net — but they had their push. We didn’t seem to have very good legs in that second period at all, but we took advantage of the chances when we got there to give ourselves a lead and then our third period was our best period. We had to take care of that lead and I thought did a really good job.
On Nylander’s recent play:
He just looks really confident and he’s feeling it. His linemates have been good around him and he’s been making plays to them and they’ve been making plays to him. He’s putting himself in good spots. He’s feeling it and he’s making good on his chances. It’s been fun to watch him here.
On if he’s ever seen Nylander lack confidence:
No, not in himself, but it’s one thing to have confidence in yourself off the ice and you’re feeling good off the ice. Then the game starts and it’s just not really happening for you, you’re not really overly involved in the game and that in itself can make you lose confidence. He just hasn’t had any lulls in his game. That’s been the nicest thing to see is he’s just been on it every shift and it’s not just the offensive pieces, it’s winning puck battles and coming up with loose pucks all over the ice and keeping himself on offence and putting his linemates in good spots. Obviously, the chemistry with John has been very good there with him as well and Kerfoot also has played outstanding too.
On what about the team allows them to rally when things look like they’re turning for the opposition:
I don’t know what to say about it. It was a game — like I said, it looked like we just didn’t have any legs. Like maybe New Year’s got the best of us. Then we got a push. I thought Travis Dermott made a game changing play for us coming through the neutral zone. That got us going again and we got out of that second period. We just talked to our guys after the second saying we’re in a really good spot here, let’s clean ourselves off and go out here and take care of this third period and I thought we did that. All four lines and all six D contributed, Freddie was solid in net in that third and we get out of here with another two points.
FREDERIK ANDERSEN (45 SHOTS)
On the team getting off to a good start tonight:
I thought we were better in the third, actually. I thought we really pulled together there and made it hard on them. Especially because they were obviously trying to come back in the game with them being down. So, I thought we did a really good job in the third. Again, we were really sharp early on and obviously made really good defensive plays. Obviously, it was a lot of shots but not a lot of danger, I think.
On his teammates helping him see most of Winnipeg’s shots on goal:
They’re one of those teams that likes to get a lot of shots on net and see what happens on the rebounds, but I thought we did a good job today.
MITCH MARNER (1 GOAL)
On what changed from the second to third period in tonight’s game:
I thought we were giving them too much time and space — especially their big guys — giving them too much time and space through the neutral zone, making plays. When our game is going well, we’re limiting those chances through odd-man rushes, we’re getting back, we’re helping out our D. I think we did that better in the second half. We got results from it. In the third, I think our thirds have been pretty good here in these recent games. I think we’re not sitting back; we just keep the pedal down. We keep pushing it’s something we’ve got to keep doing.
On Nylander’s recent play:
He’s finding open spots; the puck is coming to him and he’s not missing. So that’s big for our team, it helps us a lot. He’s a big part of this team. So it’s good for everyone.
WILLIAM NYLANDER (2 GOALS, 1 ASSIST; 200th NHL POINT)
On his two goals tonight:
Yeah, I mean, the first one was a great play by [Brooks] forechecking the goalie. I just turned around and threw it at the net. I was a little blessed that it went in. The second was just a great pass from [Kerfoot] backdoor. I just had to put it in.
On his ability to find open space as the keys to his two goals:
Yeah, of course. The first was kind of off the forecheck. With the other one, [Kerfoot] could have maybe shot too or passed it. I was just trying to be an option for him there.
JOHN TAVARES (1 ASSIST)
On what he has seen from Nylander:
I think he’s just doing a good job in all three zones and then making really good plays with the puck, obviously. I think he’s very underrated with how strong he is on the puck. He does a really good job on the boards and down low in the offensive zone, creating space and finding his line mates and the open man. And then I think he’s just doing a really good job getting through the middle the ice, having good timing to be open around the net and finishing plays off in the middle of the ice and being in and around the net. Doing a really good job at finding ways to score, not just always when you’ve got open looks, but when you’ve got to find second and thirds or ugly ones around there.
On Andersen’s play tonight:
They put a lot of pucks at the net. I think we had a really good first period and then obviously a really slow start to the second and Freddie really kept it tight. Obviously, we gave up a couple of goals, they got one of them off the power play, but we were then able to recapture the lead and do a lot of good things and really possess the puck really well, I thought. At the start of the third, Freddie made some big saves. We probably gave up a little bit too much that we would have liked in the first few minutes. Everyone stuck with it and then cleaned it up and controlled the play a lot in their half of the ice, which, especially with the lead, you want to do. But, no question, he’s been our backbone here.
William Nylander put the Maple Leafs on the board at 3:24 of the first period and later collected the secondary assist on Travis Dermott’s second period goal before scoring the sixth Toronto goal of the night at 8:45 of the third period. Nylander has goals (6) in five consecutive games, assists (5) in four consecutive games and points (6-5-11) in five consecutive games. Nylander is the first Maple Leaf to have a goal streak of at least five games since Auston Matthews (6 Games, 10 G; Oct. 3 – 13, 2018). Tonight’s game is Nylander’s fourth multi-goal and ninth multi-point performance of the season. The Maple Leafs are 7-1-2 when Nylander records multiple points.
Kasperi Kapanen scored the second Toronto goal of the night at 9:00 of the first period and later recorded the primary assist on Pierre Engvall’s second period goal. Tonight’s game is Kapanen’s fifth multi-point game of the season. He has four points (2-2-4) over his last four games. He has recorded 18 (8 goals, 10 assists) of his 23 points on the road this season.
Travis Dermott scored the third Maple Leafs goal of the game at 9:02 of the second period. Dermott has points (1-1-2) in two consecutive games. He has registered seven (3-4-7) of his eight points on the road this season.
Pierre Engvall scored the fourth Toronto goal of the night at 9:37 of the second period. Engvall has three goals over his last five games played. He has recorded six points (2 goals, 4 assists) in 10 games against Western Conference opposition this season. He has three points (1-2-3) in five games against Central Division teams in 2019-20.
Mitch Marner scored the fifth Maple Leafs goal of the game on the power play at 16:52 of the second period. Marner has points (1-2-3) in three consecutive games. He has registered 20 points (7 goals, 13 assists) over his last 13 games. He has seven career points (2-5-7) in six career games against Winnipeg and has recorded five points (2-3-5) in four career games on the road at Winnipeg.
Adam Brooks registered the lone assist on Nylander’s first period goal. Brooks’ assist is his first career NHL point. He registered 16 points (8 goals, 8 assists) in 20 games with the Toronto Marlies (AHL) prior to his recall on December 27.
Alex Kerfoot recorded the primary assist on Dermott’s second period goal and later recorded the primary assist on Nylander’s third period goal. Kerfoot has points (1-2-3) in two consecutive games. Tonight’s game is Kerfoot’s second multi-assist and fourth multi-point game of 2019-20. He has registered four points (1-3-4) over his last five games. The Maple Leafs are 9-2-1 when Kerfoot records at least one point.
Jason Spezza collected the secondary assist on Engvall’s second period goal. Spezza has four points (1-3-4) over his last five games played. He has registered 12 (4-8-12) of his 16 points in 19 games played on the road.
Tyson Barrie registered the primary assist on Marner’s second period goal. Barrie has assists (6) and points (1-6-7) in five consecutive games. Barrie has recorded 10 points (1 goal, 9 assists) in 14 games played since December 1. Toronto is 10-3-3 when Barrie registers a point.
Auston Matthews had the secondary assist on Marner’s second period goal. Matthews has assists (3) and points (3-3-6) in three consecutive games. He has recorded 15 points (8 goals, 7 assists) over his last 10 games. He leads the Maple Leafs with 15 power play points (7-8-15).
John Tavares picked up the secondary assist on Nylander’s third period goal. Tavares has assists (8) and points (3-8-11) in six consecutive games. In 15 games against Western Conference opponents in 2019-20, he has 13 points (7 goals, 6 assists). He has recorded 14 points (4 goals, 10 assists) in 14 career games on the road at Winnipeg.
Frederik Andersen stopped 45 shots to earn his League-leading 21st win of 2019-20. His 45 saves and 48 shots faced establish new season-highs.
The Maple Leafs went 1-for-2 on the penalty kill and 1-for-4 on the power play tonight.
Toronto allowed 48 shots on goal, which is the most shots against the club has faced in 2019-20.
The Maple Leafs’ line of Adam Brooks, Frederik Gauthier and Mason Marchment started 20 percent of their 5-on-5 shifts in the offensive zone, which was the lowest mark among Toronto skaters.
Cody Ceci was on the ice for a team-high 25 Toronto shot attempts-for at 5-on-5 tonight. Ceci finished the game with a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 67.6 percent (25 for, 12 against).
Mason Marchment played in his first career NHL game.
Jason Spezza went 5-for-5 (100%) in the faceoff circle when matched up with Winnipeg’s Blake Wheeler.
John Tavares won 80 percent (4 won, 1 lost) of his offensive zone faceoffs.
UPCOMING GAMES:
Saturday, January 4, 7:00 p.m. vs. New York Islanders (Sportsnet, TSN 1050)
Monday, January 6, 7:00 p.m. vs. Edmonton Oilers (TSN4, TSN 1050)
Wednesday, January 8, 7:30 p.m. vs. Winnipeg Jets (Sportsnet, FAN 590)
Sunday, January 12, 7:00 p.m. at Florida Panthers (Sportsnet, TSN 1050)
Tuesday, January 14, 7:00 p.m. vs. New Jersey Devils (Sportsnet Ontario, TSN 1050)
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (22-14-5 – 49 Points) vs. WINNIPEG JETS (22-15-3 – 47 Points) JANUARY 2, 2020 ▪ 8:00 PM EST BELL MTS PLACE (WINNIPEG, MB) ▪ TV: TSN4 ▪ RADIO: SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN MAPLE LEAFS HISTORY versus WINNIPEG ALL-TIMETIME RECORD: 33-19-1-8 (61 Games)
ALL-TIME ON THE ROAD:
16-10-0-5 (31 Games)
2018-19:
2-0-0
LAST FIVE:
4-1-0
LAST 10:
5-4-1
MAPLE LEAFS CAREER LEADERS versus WINNIPEG
GAMES PLAYED:
Jason Spezza (48), Tyson Barrie (27), John Tavares (26)
GOALS:
Jason Spezza (15), John Tavares (9), William Nylander (3)
ASSISTS:
Jason Spezza (35), John Tavares (20), Tyson Barrie (11)
POINTS:
Jason Spezza (50), John Tavares (29), Tyson Barrie (13)
PENALTY MINUTES:
John Tavares (23), Jason Spezza (18), Jake Muzzin (12)
MAPLE LEAFS – JETS TEAM STATS
TORONTO
WINNIPEG
GOALS FOR (Rank):
145 (1st)
123 (t-16th)
GOALS AGAINST (Rank):
130 (t-20th)
119 (12th)
POWER PLAY [%] (Rank):
27/112 [24.1%] (5th)
23/120 [19.2%] (15th)
PENALTY KILL [%] (Rank):
91/120 [75.8%] (26th)
70/98 [71.4%] (31st)
SHOTS (Rank):
1385 (4th)
1246 (t-21st)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPTS FOR (Rank):
2102 (2nd)
1739 (19th)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT % (Rank):
53.0% (4th)
48.1% (24th)
FACEOFF % (Rank):
52.5% (3rd)
50.4% (t-12th)
MAPLE LEAFS – JETS NOTES
FIRST MATCHUP BETWEEN CLUBS:
October 27, 1999 (Toronto 4, Atlanta 0)
ALL-TIME RECORD:
33-19-1-8 (61 Games)
ALL-TIME RECORD AT HOME:
17-9-1-3 (30 Games)
ALL-TIME RECORD ON THE ROAD:
16-10-0-5 (31 Games)
LAST WIN VS. OPPONENT AT HOME:
October 24, 2018 (Toronto 4, Winnipeg 2)
MAPLE LEAFS MILESTONES vs. JETS
Cody Ceci
200th NHL game (March 30, 2016 (OTT) at WPG)
Michael Hutchinson
First NHL game (April 7, 2014 (WPG) vs. MIN) Appeared in 102 Games for WPG from 2014-18 with a record of 43-39-11.
Martin Marincin
100th NHL game (Dec. 2, 2015 at WPG)
Jake Muzzin
100th NHL assist (Jan. 14, 2017 (LAK) vs. WPG)
MAPLE LEAFS LEADERS
CATEGORY
LEADER
GOALS
27 (Matthews)
ASSISTS
27 (Marner)
POINTS
48 (Matthews)
POWER PLAY POINTS
14 (Matthews)
SHORTHANDED POINTS
2 (Engvall, Kapanen)
PIMs
34 (Muzzin)
SHOTS
148 (Matthews)
FACEOFF WIN%
58.3% (Gauthier)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT %
55.9% (Nylander)
BLOCKED SHOTS
69 (Muzzin)
TAKEAWAYS
46 (Marner)
HITS
87 (Muzzin)
TOI PER GAME
24:22 (Rielly)
PP TOI PER GAME
3:06 (Marner)
SH TOI PER GAME
3:04 (Ceci)
MAPLE LEAFS PLAYER NOTES
Frederik Andersen
– Is 11-4-0 on the road this season with a 2.28 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage. – Has made 10 career appearances against the Jets and is 8-0-1 with a 2.83 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage.- Leads the NHL lead in wins (20).- Second in the NHL in saves (916) and second in even-strength saves (771).- Fifth in the NHL in shootout saves (11).
Tyson Barrie
– Had nine points (1 goal, 8 assists) in 13 games during the month of December, which was tied for the 13th-highest point total among NHL defencemen in December.- Averaging 14.5 shot attempts per 60 minutes of ice time, which is the seventh-highest average among NHL defencemen who have appeared in 30 games.- Averaging 7.6 shots on goal per 60 minutes of ice time, which is tied for the fifth-highest average among NHL defencemen who have appeared in 30 games. – Has an on-ice shot attempt differential of plus-135, which is 13th among NHL defencemen.
Cody Ceci
– 11th among NHL skaters in shorthanded time on ice (125:26).- Has played 62.3 percent of Toronto’s shorthanded ice time, which is the 11th-highest shorthanded time on ice percentage among NHLers who have appeared in at least 30 games.
Justin Holl
– Has started 45.4 percent of his 5-on-5 shifts in the offensive zone, which is the lowest mark among Toronto defencemen who have appeared in at least 10 games.- Has an unblocked shot attempt percentage of 54.1 percent at 5-on-5, which is the highest percentage among Toronto defencemen who have appeared in at least 10 games.- Has a 5-on-5 on-ice goals-for percentage of 54.7 percent, which is the highest percentage among Maple Leafs defencemen.
Michael Hutchinson
– Appeared in 102 games for the Jets from 2014-18, posting a 43-39-11 record with a 2.65 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage.- Second among NHL goaltenders who have appeared in 10 or fewer games in saves (250).
Zach Hyman
– Has a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 54.3 percent, which is tied for sixth among Toronto skaters who have played 20 games. – Averaging 15:44 per game in even-strength ice time, which ranks seventh among Maple Leafs. – Has played 50.4 percent of Toronto’s shorthanded ice time since returning to the lineup on November 13, which is tied for 17th among NHL forwards who have played 20 games and first among Maple Leafs forwards in that span.
Kasperi Kapanen
– Has scored nine goals this season, which is tied for 11th most among NHLers with no power play goals.- Eighth among Toronto skaters in even-strength points (7-9-16).- Has recorded 16 (7 goals, 9 assists) of his 21 points in 22 road games this season.
Alex Kerfoot
– Recorded his 100th NHL point with a goal on December 31 at Minnesota.- Tied for sixth among Maple Leafs in even-strength goals (6). – One of two Toronto forwards to have recorded at least 20 hits (29) and 20 blocked shots (25) this season.
Mitch Marner
– Averaging 1.26 primary assists per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5, which is tied for ninth among NHLers who have appeared in at least 20 games.- Tied for 14th in the NHL in primary assists (16). His 16 primary assists are the most among NHLers who have appeared in 30 or fewer games.- Recorded 19 points (6 goals, 13 assists) in 12 games during the month of December, which was the fourth-highest point total in the NHL. – Tied for 12th among NHL forwards in shifts per game (25.2).
Auston Matthews
– Second among NHL skaters in goals (27).- Leads NHL skaters in even-strength goals (20).- Leads the NHL in goals scored at 5-on-5 (18).- 11th among NHL skaters in even-strength points (20-14-34).- Tied for ninth in the NHL with 148 shots on goal.- Scored 11 goals during the month of December, which was tied for the NHL lead in goals in December.
William Nylander
– Established a new career-long goal streak (4 G; 4 GP) with his goal on December 31 at Minnesota (Previous: Mar. 20 to 23, 2017 (3G; 3GP)).- Averages 1.11 goals per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5, which ranks second among Toronto skaters.- One of 22 NHLers to average at least 14:00 minutes per game at 5-on-5 (14:28) while maintaining a goal per 60-minute rate of at least one (1.11).- Has recorded seven points (4-3-7) in seven games against Central Division opposition.
Morgan Rielly
– Tied for 11th among NHL defencemen in even-strength points (3-15-18).- Tied for fourth among NHL defencemen in assists recorded at 5-on-5 (14).- 13th among NHL skaters in TOI per game (24:22).- Tied for seventh among NHL skaters in shifts per game (28.6).- Averaging 14.3 shot attempts per 60 minutes of ice time, which ranks eighth among NHL defencemen who have appeared in at least 30 games.
Jason Spezza
– Averaging 2.26 points per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5 this season, which is the fourth-highest average among Toronto skaters.- Averaging 1.13 primary assists per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time in 2019-20, which ranks second on the Maple Leafs and is the 18th-highest average among NHLers who have appeared in at least 25 games.
John Tavares
– Named the NHL’s Third Star of the Week for the week ending Dec. 29 after recording seven points (2 goals, 5 assists) in three games, including a pair of three-point performances.- Averaging 17.6 shot attempts per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5, which is the third-highest average among NHL centres who have appeared in 20 games.- Averaging 9.3 shots on goal at 5-on-5 per 60 minutes of ice time, which is tied for seventh among NHL centres who have appeared in 20 games.- Has recorded 13 points (4 goals, 9 assists) in 13 career games on the road at Winnipeg.
CURRENT POINT STREAKS
Tyson Barrie
Has assists (5) and points (1-5-6) in four consecutive games.
Mitch Marner
Has assists (2) in two consecutive games.
Auston Matthews
Has goals (3), assists (2) and points (3-2-5) in two consecutive games.
William Nylander
Has assists (4) in three consecutive games and goals (4) and points (4-4-8) in three consecutive games.
John Tavares
Has assists (7) and points (3-7-10) in five consecutive games.
UPCOMING MILESTONES
William Nylander
Three points from 200 NHL points
RECENT MILESTONES
Frederik Andersen
20,000 career minutes (December 28 vs NYR)
Adam Brooks
First NHL game (December 28 vs. NYR)
Alex Kerfoot
100th career NHL point (December 31 at MIN)
INJURY REPORT
Andreas Johnsson (Leg)
On injured reserve.
Ilya Mikheyev (Wrist Laceration)
On injured reserve.
Trevor Moore (Concussion)
On injured reserve.
Jake Muzzin (Foot)
Is week-to-week with a broken foot sustained on December 27 at New Jersey.
Man Games Lost: 87
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
January 1
Recalled forward Mason Marchment from the Toronto Marlies (AHL).
December 30
Loaned defenceman Timothy Liljegren to the Toronto Marlies (AHL).
December 30
Recalled defencemen Teemu Kivihalme and Timothy Liljegren from the Toronto Marlies (AHL).
December 29
Loaned forward Kenny Agostino and defenceman Timothy Liljegren to the Toronto Marlies (AHL).
December 28
Recalled forward Kenny Agostino and defenceman Timothy Liljegren from the Toronto Marlies (AHL). Placed forwards Ilya Mikheyev and Trevor Moore on injured reserve.
December 27
Recalled forward Adam Brooks and defenceman Martin Marincin from the Toronto Marlies (AHL)
JETS NOTES
The Winnipeg Jets begin 2020 by hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs at Bell MTS Place tonight…The Jets beat the Colorado Avalanche 7-4 on New Year’s Eve to pick up their first win since the Christmas break…After tonight’s game, the Jets head out on a four-game road trip, which begins Saturday afternoon against the Minnesota Wild.
Last Game Dec. 31 at COL – 7-4 W Jets Scorers: Wheeler (12, 13), Scheifele (18), Connor (18, 19, 20), Ehlers (16) Avalanche Scorers: Mackinnon (23, 24), Landeskog (10), Kadri (13)
Recap: Kyle Connor tallied a hat trick, while Mark Scheifele had a goal and three assists to lead the Jets to a 7-4 win against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night…Blake Wheeler also scored twice for the Jets, while Nikolaj Ehlers sealed the win with an empty net goal in the final seconds…Connor led the Jets with eight shots, which accounted for 30.8% of Winnipeg’s shots in the game…Connor Hellebuyck made 39 saves for the win.
Three Stars: 1. Connor 2. MacKinnon 3. Hellebuyck
Halfway Point: Tonight marks the halfway point of Winnipeg’s 2019-20 campaign…At 22-15-3, the Jets have reached 22 wins by the midway point of the season for the third consecutive season…Since relocation in 2011 and excluding the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, the Jets have posted a .500 or better points percentage in first half of each season and have a combined record of 167-125-35…Last season, Winnipeg set a franchise record with 26 wins in the first half of the season.
Recapping December The Jets went 6-5-1 in December to finish with 14 points, which was tied for the 17th in the NHL…Winnipeg scored 48 goals in the month, which was fifth in the league, and its power play was sixth at 25.6%…The Jets penalty kill was tied for last in the NHL in December at 63.8%… It’s the worst month for the Jets penalty kill since going 63.6% in January 2013, but that was during only seven games during the lockout-shortened season…Mark Scheifele finished third in NHL scoring in December with 20 points (9G, 11A) in 13 games…He had a point in 11 of the 13 games and posted six multi-point games…Kyle Connor was tied for eighth in league scoring last month with 17 points (10G, 7A)…Connor’s 10 goals were tied for third.
Fresh Start at Home The Jets enter 2020 having lost four consecutive home games (0-3-1)…Winnipeg is 10-8-2 at home this season, which includes a fivegame winning streak from Nov. 23-Dec. 15…After playing seven of their first 10 games on the road to start the second half of the season, the Jets have a stretch of nine of 10 games at home from Jan. 31-Feb. 16.
Can Con The Jets are 3-1-0 against their Canadian counterparts in the NHL this season…The Jets play three of their next four games against Canadian opponents.
KC Hatty Kyle Connor scored Winnipeg’s first hat trick of the season on Tuesday against Colorado…It was his second career hat trick (Mar. 23/19 vs. NSH 5-0 W)…Connor’s third goal was his 20 th of the season, which leads the Jets…After scoring 31 and 34 goals in his past two seasons, Connor is on pace to reach 40 goals for the first time in his career.
900 GP Captain Blake Wheeler played in his 900th career game on Tuesday…He’s played 679 games with the Jets franchise after starting his career by playing 221 games with the Boston Bruins…Wheeler is just the fourth player from the 2005 NHL Draft to reach 900 games played, joining Alexander Ovechkin (1,125), Travis Zajac (961), and former teammate Andrew Ladd (947).
Jets vs. Maple Leafs Overall: 27-27-7 Home: 15-14-2 Away: 12-13-5 At Bell MTS Place: 7-3-0
Jets vs. Maples Leafs Notes The Jets have earned points in 11 of their past 14 games against the Maple Leafs (9-3-2), but were swept in the season series last season. The Jets are 11-5-3 against the Maple Leafs since the franchise relocated to Winnipeg for the 2011-12 season. Winnipeg has scored a power play goal in three consecutive games against Toronto (3-for-8, 37.5%). The Jets went a perfect four-for-four on the penalty kill against the Maple Leafs last season. The Jets have been held to three goals or less in each of their past four games against the Maple Leafs. Blake Wheeler leads the Jets in career scoring against Toronto with 29 points (12G, 17A) in 36 games. Ontario-born MarkScheifele has 16 points (9G, 7A) in 12 career games against the Maple Leafs. PatrikLaine has five goals and six points in six career games against Toronto.
Career Scoring vs. Maple Leafs Player GP G A Pts PPG Blake Wheeler 36 12 17 29 0.81 Bryan Little 30 10 17 27 0.90 Mark Scheifele 12 9 7 16 1.33
WINNIPEG — Working on the same line with William Nylander has given Maple Leafs captain John Tavares a greater appreciation of what Nylander potentially brings to each shift. Read More
It didn’t take long for things to get spicy in this year’s Winter Classic between the Dallas Stars and Nashville Predators. Ryan Ellis took a questionable hit to the head from Stars right wing Corey Perry just three minutes after the puck dropped at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Ellis was helped off the ice and Perry…
The view from left field 