The Leafs have regressed to their pre-Berube top two lines (with Max Pacioretty standing in for Calle Järnkrok), and we'll see if that works. The power play units were assembled by the Ontario Lottery Corporation.

First Period

Leafs got in an early power play

The Leafs won the first two faceoffs so they got some puck movement and shots with no need to gain the zone first. The second unit had to do an entry, which they did fine, and then got some shots. They have William Nylander, of course.

The fourth line followed the power play, and no one should expect that to change, but they got chances. Not a new thing for them.

Leafs dominating early in shots.

John Tavares got on the board early with his new line.

Bobby McMann cut across the crease and Logan Stanley dumped Matt Knies who was coming in hot too. Leafs got their second power play.

Jets got an early clear, and the Leafs didn't make a clean entry. Knies won a board battle they shouldn't even be in once they did gain the zone. Puck control was terrible on this power play.

The broadcast thinks the board play is helping, but helping to do what? Avoid a shorthanded goal against? You're not eating the clock on the power play. Sometimes people who like tough play can't see when getting into the hole where you need to body your way out is the problem.

The second line stuck again. They play so well together.

Mitch Marner was fantastic in this period with the second line getting all the glory. The third line was there. I noticed them when Bobby McMann tried to pass to someone in the slot and there was no one there. I am not sold on the power play being fixed magically.

I love this chart because it says: shoot from the slot, not out there along the boards. Alas, the Leafs are still doing a lot of low percentage shots. The Jets, though. That is funny.

Score is 2-0 Leafs.

Second Period

The Jets put their checking line out against Tavares, so when Matthews came out, his line got an easier path to the net.

Matt Knies won't score this way all year, but this is playoffs Knies, not regular season Knies in ways that matters a lot more.

The Tavares line cannot be shutdown. As the broadcast says, if they aren't trying to run up and down the ice, Tavares and Pacioretty are just excellent. They are making fools of the Jets defence out there.

Pontus Holmberg took an offensive zone penalty, and Berube goes to court for him to ask what about that other guy? (A legitimate question.) That worked out as it always does.

Kyle Connor almost got one off the first faceoff, but after a long time spent in their own zone he popped one in off of Anthony Stolarz's head.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson squeezed Vlad Namestnikov into the glass, so it was his turn to sit while the PK tried again to keep the Jets from scoring.

Stolarz had to make a great save after another of the Jets' good passes. The Jets obviously believe in very few, very high quality shots on the power play. It looked good in this game, but I'm dubious of the long term effectiveness. Beats the Leafs very few, very bad quality shots, though.

Morgan Rielly popped the puck over the glass and the parade to the box continued.

I had just said oh-no because Simon Benoit was on the PK on the backcheck after a shorthanded adventure up ice, and Gabe Vilardi just walked him, occupied his time, and opened the door for Connor.

The risk of shorthanded flurries of offence is that your very limited defensive players are on the ice against highly skilled forwards.

Either Pacioretty or Tavares got another one. It looked like Max, the scorer says JT.

Score was 5-2 Leafs, and that was two lines on fire for the Leafs vs Kyle Connor for the Jets.

Third Period

The five-on-five game in the second was very uneventful and that stayed the case into the third. Leafs were not taking any risks, but they don't classically turtle either.

Wow. This Jets power play could not be stopped. Toronto on a delayed penalty call, and the defence didn't do anything wrong, but William Nylander never had to go to the box.

Oh, Simon. No. Are you trying to get pressboxed? Benoit took a very ill-timed penalty as the Leafs were trying to close this out. Brightside, he won't be on the PK.

Leafs killed it, no Shots on Goal for the Jets.

Max Domi, who was not having a good game, with a late rush unopposed on Connor Hellebuyck, but it was in the glove.

And Connor got his hat trick. The hot Tavares line showed their weakness by showing their backs.

The Leafs had a very few minutes to keep this game from going to overtime.

John Tavares with the hat trick to end the suspense.

Final score is 6-4 for the Leafs.

Puck control, attention to detail, and situational awareness not where it needs to be, but that was a win from the skilled offensive players. Tavares, Marner, Pacioretty and a quietly good game from Jake McCabe the standouts.

And shooting from the slot, let's not forget that part.

Next game is one-game home stand against Seattle on Thursday before a return run west. See you then.

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