The Leafs are the better team. Let's get that out of the way right now. That's not an indictment of the Jets it's not some unwarranted praise for the hockey team from the centre of Canada's universe it's simply a statement based on fact. That fact was proven last night at the Bell MTS centre in front of a national Canadian audience and national American one with NBC broadcasting the game.

The Leafs played a game that was simple but effective and beat the Jets in the most basic of ways... they outplayed their opposition. The Leafs skated harder, they were far more positionally sound, they completed passes and they were not static.

Yes the Jets woke up to start the third period much like they did against St. Louis on Monday night but that's a reaction not a strategy. It's also a problem that Paul Maurice needs to deal with and soon because something isn't clicking with the Jets.

The Jets wore chefs hats as they made turnovers. They also relied on Hellebuyck to bail them out. The could not get the transition game going except for brief stints and let's not discuss the passing. Patrick Laine more like Patrik Liability as he struggled in his own zone, static on his skates and trying to stick handle his way out of trouble.

The last part is hard to blame on Laine though, it was a result of Jets positioning being so far from helpful that when players did get puck in their own end the only option was to pass it three feet to the player beside them. There is a ton of skill on the Jets but whatever system they are trying to play, and some say it's a hybrid-zone defense, in their own end it's causing problems.

The 20 feet that covers before the Jets blue line and after it is basically a minefield of trouble for the team and there seems to be no immediate answer. Players caught behind the puck, players caught too far ahead of it or simply in no position to help a teammate. Last night saw it all as the Leafs preyed on the Jets daring them to keep up with their speed and dynamic skill.

There was a pushback and fans have to feel a bit happy for Nik Ehlers who like his opposition counterpart got the monkey off his back by scoring his first goal of the season. The PP clicked and Schiefele scored but at 3-2 when the Jets had a chance to ride momentum they gave it right back up by allowing goal soon after.

Frustration abounds and the players are feeling the pressure knowing they have yet to put together a complete game this season. When looking at this matchup the Jets slower and larger defense was eaten alive by the speedier Leafs forwards as evidenced the Kadri and Tavares goals.

The Jets are a good team, they have the skill but they appear to be watching each other waiting for their teammates to do something rather than rallying together. Is there frustration for this team, yes. Is the situation dire, no. The truth is that Jets have yet to ignite as dynamic unit for a game let alone a steak of games. Also, anyone take a look at Hellebuyck's save percentage so far this season?

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