Jets 6, Maple Leafs 1

Mathieu Perrault picked up a pair of assists. He slipped behind the Leafs defenders, took a pass from Scheifele and lifted a backhand behind Sparks – the first-ever NHL goal scored on the young netminder after he posted a shutout over the Edmonton Oilers in his league debut Monday.

Maple Leafs forward Daniel Winnik was deemed to be interfering with Hellebuyck’s ability to make the save prior to the puck crossing the goal line. He sent a pass over to Grabner in front of the net, who shot it behind Hellebuyck at 2:02 of the first period. Stafford fired his eighth and ninth goals of the season to give the hosts a 2-1 lead that held up through two periods.

Stafford’s second goal of the game was scored from a sharp angle at 17:32 with Toronto’s Leo Komarov in the penalty box for tripping. Winnipeg had two power-play chances in the second period to beef up its lead but couldn’t cash in, and headed to the dressing up 2-1 after 40 minutes. Scheifele increased his season points total to 16 with his ninth goal and his sixth and seventh assists.

Jets head coach Paul Maurice challenged the call, citing goaltender interference, and after much deliberation between game officials and the NHL’s War Room in Toronto, the call was overturned. Peluso scored his first of the season with 2:07 left in the game. Minnesota has been lights out at home over the years and that has continued into this year as they are 8-3-1 at the Xcel Energy Center and with the Leafs coming in as one of the worst road teams in the National Hockey League things look like they’ll continue tonight. Former Leafs starting goalie Jonathan Bernier was sent to the AHL Toronto Marlies on Wednesday for a 10-day conditioning stint.