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Gustavsson, Leafs blank Jets

Jan 6, 2012 - 4:18 AM Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Jonas Gustavsson stopped all 24 shots fired his way to earn his first shutout of the season and the second of his career as the Toronto Maple Leafs topped the Winnipeg Jets, 4-0, at Air Canada Centre.

Tim Connolly and Mikhial Grabovski finished with a goal and an assist apiece, while Phil Kessel and Clarke MacArthur also found the back of the net for the Leafs, who have won back-to-back games after dropping three straight.

"He was solid and very professional tonight," Maple Leafs head coach Ron Wilson said of his goaltender's performance. "He didn't give up very many rebounds, especially on shots that were coming from the point. I think he did a very good job of handling the puck when he needed to."

Chris Mason was tagged for all four goals on 25 shots for the Jets, who have lost two consecutive games since winning three straight.

The Leafs wasted little time finding the back of the net, taking the lead just five minutes into the first period when Connolly retrieved a loose puck behind the net, fended off a pair of defenders and found Joffrey Lupul in the right circle. Lupul immediately turned and fired it right to the tape of Kessel, who deflected it past Mason from in close to make it 1-0.

Toronto extended its lead to 2-0 1:22 into the second frame when Dion Phanuef fired one through traffic from the point that was stopped by Mason, but the rebound came right to Connolly, who wristed it home from the left circle.

The Leafs essentially iced the game 3:38 into the third period when they took advantage of a poorly executed line change by the Jets, which gave Toronto a 3-on-2 advantage down low. Nikolai Kulemin moved into the offensive zone on the right wing and found Grabovski trailing the play in the slot. The crafty winger then fired a quick wrister over the shoulder of Mason for a 3-0 edge.

The Leafs capped the scoring at 10:37 of the final period on the power play when Grabovski sent a slick pass from the left circle to a wide-open MacArthur, who banged it home from the right of the net.

Winnipeg did manage nine shots in the final 20 minutes of play, but were unable to dent Gustavsson's armor. The Jets were shutout for the fourth time this season.

Game Notes

Toronto leads the all-time series with the Winnipeg/Atlanta franchise, 27-12-1-5...MacArthur extended his point streak to seven games...Toronto finished 1-for-3 with the man-advantage, while the Jets failed to convert on their only power play chance...Winnipeg with travel to Buffalo to battle the Sabres on Saturday, while the Leafs will face the Detroit Red Wings, also on Saturday.