Jets at Maple Leafs
THE STORY: An old all-Canadian rivalry is rekindled Wednesday when the Toronto Maple Leafs entertain the second incarnation of the Winnipeg Jets. Toronto has been one of the surprise teams in the league, earning seven of a possible eight points as it wraps up its five-game season-opening homestand. Phil Kessel has been the catalyst of the team's surge, scoring six goals and looking like the most dangerous forward on the ice. Winnipeg is coming off its first victory since relocating from Atlanta in the off-season. The offense remains a major concern, with the Jets scoring only seven times in their first four games and still looking for their first power-play goal. Toronto hasn't been much better in that regard, scoring twice in 21 man-advantage opportunities.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TSN, RIS
ABOUT THE JETS (1-3-0): Things aren't going so well for Winnipeg rookie Mark Scheifele. A sensational preseason has given way to the harsh reality of regular-season hockey for the 18-year-old, who is still looking for his first career NHL point. The seventh overall pick in last summer's draft is averaging only 11 1/2 minutes of ice time per game - 32nd among the 58 rookie skaters who have played at least one game so far - and has yet to display the offensive skill that kept him with the big club out of training camp.
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (3-0-1): Lost in Kessel's sizzling start is the steady play of Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf. The 26-year-old looks like a different defenseman this season, sacrificing some of his bruising play to take on a more active role in the offense. He can still dish out a mean hit - just ask Ottawa rookie Stephane Da Costa - but with four points and a plus-eight rating through the first four games, he has played a more complete game than in seasons past.
OVERTIME:
1. The teams split four meetings last season, with the winning side averaging nearly six goals per game.
2. Winnipeg netminder Ondrej Pavelec has struggled in his career against Toronto, going 3-3-1 with a robust 4.02 goals-against average in seven meetings.
3. The Maple Leafs were unbeaten in regulation at this point last year, opening with four straight wins. They followed by going 1-8-3, effectively squashing their playoff hopes.