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Jets’ four-game win streak snapped in 4-3 overtime loss to Maple Leafs
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Photo credit: © James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images
Evan Waldner
Jan 18, 2026, 00:59 EST
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The Winnipeg Jets played a solid hockey game Saturday night at Canada Life Centre against the Toronto Maple Leafs, but inconsistency in the faceoff circle and a pushback from Toronto led to Max Domi’s overtime winner, snapping Winnipeg’s four-game winning streak. The Jets have now not beaten Toronto on home ice since 2021 and fall to 19-22-6.
The opening 20 minutes were scoreless, though the Jets generated some quality chances, beating Dennis Hildeby but not the post or crossbar. Winnipeg led 10-7 in shots after the first period.
Alex Iafallo opened the scoring 2:23 into the second period when Logan Stanley floated a shot on net from the point and Iafallo redirected it past Hildeby for his ninth of the season.
Kyle Connor showcased his silky puck-handling skills at 8:59, cutting in front of the net from the right corner and roofing it top corner over Hildeby, who was still hugging his post, to make it 2-0 Winnipeg with his 23rd of the year.
Just 23 seconds later, Auston Matthews ripped one past Connor Hellebuyck to cut the deficit in half. From behind the Jets’ net, Domi spotted Matthews cutting into the slot uncovered and sent a tape-to-tape pass that Matthews buried for his 24th.
Winnipeg carried a 2-1 lead into the second intermission, with both teams tied at 17 shots apiece.
Nino Niederreiter restored the Jets’ two-goal lead 2:28 into the third period. Luke Schenn fired a point shot that hit Vladislav Namestnikov in front, and the rebound popped out to Niederreiter, who hammered it home for his seventh of the season to make it 3-1.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson pulled the Leafs within one at 5:58. Nick Robertson entered the Jets’ zone down the right side, spotted Ekman-Larsson joining on the left, and sent a cross-ice feed that the defenceman snapped past Hellebuyck’s left shoulder for his eighth of the campaign.
Bobby McMann tied the game at 15:33 with his 15th of the season. Toronto won the faceoff, the puck was pulled back to Ekman-Larsson at the right point, and his shot was tipped by McMann past Hellebuyck.
Sixty minutes solved nothing, sending the game to 3-on-3 overtime.
Domi, the Winnipegger, finished off a 2-on-1 with Matthews when Matthews slid a pass across and Domi beat a sliding Hellebuyck for his sixth of the year and the game-winner.
“We’ve just got to find a way to close those games out,” Niederreiter said postgame. “Obviously, we tried our best to block shots and make sure (Hellebuyck) sees most of the pucks. We’ve just got to continue playing more aggressive. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes and don’t try to defend something when we don’t have to, that’s something we have to learn.”
Winnipeg now hits the road for a one-game stop in the Windy City against the Chicago Blackhawks, marking Jonathan Toews’ first game back in Chicago not as a member of his longtime club. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. CST on Monday on TSN3.

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