TORONTO - While the Toronto Maple Leafs played with some of the malaise of a team out of the playoff race, the Winnipeg Jets exhibiting similar warts is a troubling sign for their post-season hopes.
The Jets didn't have nearly their best performance two days after getting thumped in Washington. The result was a 4-3 overtime loss Saturday night at Air Canada Centre that will not help in a crowded Western Conference race.
James van Riemsdyk scored the winner for the Leafs (24-31-5) on a two-on-one rush 3:47 into overtime. Van Riemsdyk beat Michael Hutchinson (29 saves on 33 shots) clean for his 22nd goal of the season.
The Jets, who lost 4-1 to the Capitals on Thursday, didn't have the same trouble of poor discipline biting them as Toronto didn't score a power-play goal. But it wasn't quite the bounce-back effort coach Paul Maurice would have liked.
Winnipeg (30-20-11) picked up a point to get to 71 on the season, but that remains a tenuous hold on a wild-card spot with the San Jose Sharks, Minnesota Wild and Los Angeles Kings chasing.
Jacob Trouba, Mark Scheifele and Michael Frolik scored for the Jets, who also got contributions from recent trade acquisitions Drew Stafford (two assists) and Tyler Myers (one assist).
Toronto trade bait Daniel Winnik had a goal and an assist. Leo Komarov and Nazem Kadri each scored in regulation for the Leafs.
Despite not being in the same conference, the Jets and Leafs went at each other throughout the game. There was one official fight and plenty of post-whistle skirmishes.
Notes — Dustin Byfuglien was back at forward for Winnipeg after playing last game on defence. Adam Pardy returned to the blue-line to fill that spot. ... With Joffrey Lupul back in the Leafs' lineup after a four-game absence, winger Brandon Kozun was made a healthy scratch despite scoring Friday night at Carolina. ... Before the game, the Leafs announced Syl Apps and George Armstrong, both Stanley Cup-winning captains, will be the next players honoured on Legends Row outside Air Canada Centre.
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