Connor Hellebuyck made 36 saves, leading the Winnipeg Jets to a 4-3 win over the North Division-leading Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night in the opener of a three-game series.

Andrew Copp had a goal and an assist and Josh Morrissey, Kyle Connor and Mason Appleton also scored for Winnipeg. Neal Pionk finished with three assists and Nikolaj Ehlers had two for the Jets, who trail the Maple Leafs by five points in the standings with two games in hand.

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Winnipeg Jets left wing Pierre-Luc Dubois (13) gets tripped by Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Ilya Mikheyev (65) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

Connor Hellebuyck made 36 saves, leading the Winnipeg Jets to a 4-3 win over the North Division-leading Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night in the opener of a three-game series.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a save on a breakaway by Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitchell Marner (16) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

Winnipeg was coming off a 7-1 loss in Montreal on Saturday that snapped a four-game winning streak. Toronto was coming off back-to-back defeats to Vancouver after sweeping the Edmonton Oilers three straight by a combined 13-1 .
Winnipeg Jets center Andrew Copp (9) misses an open-net shot as Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) eyes the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

The Jets went ahead for the first time with 2:18 left when Ehlers found Connor from behind the Toronto net and he scored his 12th.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a pad save against Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Pierre Engvall (47) as Jets center Andrew Copp (9) defends during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

Hellebuyck robbed Mitch Marner from close range four minutes into the third.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a pad save next to Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares (91) and Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey (44) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

Matthews scored his 20th of the season with 1:54 left in regulation and Andersen on the bench to make it 4-3.
Winnipeg Jets left wing Nikolaj Ehlers (27) dives to chip the puck out as Toronto Maple Leafs' John Tavares (91) and Auston Matthews (34) watch the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto got that one back when the league’s top-ranked power play connected for the 26th time in 27 games. Matthews, who’s been bothered by a wrist/hand injury and had failed to score in his last five outings, tipped his NHL-best 19th past Hellebuyck off Rielly’s point shot.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a save against Toronto Maple Leafs center Alexander Kerfoot (15) as Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey (44) looks for the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

The Jets and Maple Leafs play the second game of the three-game set on Thursday night. The finale is Saturday.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a save as Toronto Maple Leafs center Jason Spezza (19) looks for the rebound during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a save as Toronto Maple Leafs center Jason Spezza (19) looks for the rebound during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)
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Winnipeg Jets left wing Pierre-Luc Dubois (13) gets tripped by Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Ilya Mikheyev (65) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

Connor Hellebuyck made 36 saves, leading the Winnipeg Jets to a 4-3 win over the North Division-leading Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night in the opener of a three-game series.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a save on a breakaway by Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitchell Marner (16) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

Winnipeg was coming off a 7-1 loss in Montreal on Saturday that snapped a four-game winning streak. Toronto was coming off back-to-back defeats to Vancouver after sweeping the Edmonton Oilers three straight by a combined 13-1 .

Winnipeg Jets center Andrew Copp (9) misses an open-net shot as Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) eyes the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

The Jets went ahead for the first time with 2:18 left when Ehlers found Connor from behind the Toronto net and he scored his 12th.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a pad save against Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Pierre Engvall (47) as Jets center Andrew Copp (9) defends during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

Hellebuyck robbed Mitch Marner from close range four minutes into the third.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a pad save next to Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares (91) and Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey (44) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

Matthews scored his 20th of the season with 1:54 left in regulation and Andersen on the bench to make it 4-3.

Winnipeg Jets left wing Nikolaj Ehlers (27) dives to chip the puck out as Toronto Maple Leafs' John Tavares (91) and Auston Matthews (34) watch the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto got that one back when the league’s top-ranked power play connected for the 26th time in 27 games. Matthews, who’s been bothered by a wrist/hand injury and had failed to score in his last five outings, tipped his NHL-best 19th past Hellebuyck off Rielly’s point shot.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a save against Toronto Maple Leafs center Alexander Kerfoot (15) as Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey (44) looks for the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

The Jets and Maple Leafs play the second game of the three-game set on Thursday night. The finale is Saturday.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a save as Toronto Maple Leafs center Jason Spezza (19) looks for the rebound during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a save as Toronto Maple Leafs center Jason Spezza (19) looks for the rebound during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

Auston Matthews scored twice, raising his NHL-leading goal total to 20, and Zach Hyman added a goal for Toronto. Frederik Andersen stopped 19 shots as the Leafs dropped their third straight in regulation.

Winnipeg Jets left wing Pierre-Luc Dubois (13) gets tripped by Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Ilya Mikheyev (65) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

Winnipeg Jets left wing Pierre-Luc Dubois (13) gets tripped by Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Ilya Mikheyev (65) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

Winnipeg was coming off a 7-1 loss in Montreal on Saturday that snapped a four-game winning streak. Toronto was coming off back-to-back defeats to Vancouver after sweeping the Edmonton Oilers three straight by a combined 13-1 .

The Maple Leafs and Jets play eight more times between now and April 24, including Thursday and Saturday at Scotiabank Arena.

Down 2-1 through 20 minutes, Winnipeg got even at 12:45 of the second period when Matthews tried to block Morrissey’s point shot, but instead saw it glance off his airborne skate and fool Andersen for the defenseman’s first goal of the season.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a save on a breakaway by Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitchell Marner (16) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a save on a breakaway by Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitchell Marner (16) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

The Jets went ahead for the first time with 2:18 left when Ehlers found Connor from behind the Toronto net and he scored his 12th.

The Leafs had a couple of chances to make it a two-goal lead earlier in the period before Winnipeg tied it when Alexander Kerfoot had a chance from the slot on Hellebuyck and Ilya Mikheyev fanned on a tap-in off a pass from Morgan Rielly.

Down to five defenseman after Nathan Beaulieu took a shot off his hand, the Jets also came close as Mathieu Perreault was denied in tight by Andersen, and Blake Wheeler saw his sneaky deflection smothered by the Toronto goaltender.

Winnipeg Jets center Andrew Copp (9) misses an open-net shot as Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) eyes the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

Winnipeg Jets center Andrew Copp (9) misses an open-net shot as Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) eyes the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

Hellebuyck robbed Mitch Marner from close range four minutes into the third.

The Jets made it 4-2 at 7:53 when Appleton took a little pass from Copp before stepping around a sprawling Rielly and beating Andersen for his seventh of the season.

Toronto’s goalie then stopped Wheeler on a break with four minutes left in regulation to keep his team close.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a pad save against Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Pierre Engvall (47) as Jets center Andrew Copp (9) defends during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a pad save against Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Pierre Engvall (47) as Jets center Andrew Copp (9) defends during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

Matthews scored his 20th of the season with 1:54 left in regulation and Andersen on the bench to make it 4-3.

The Leafs, who beat the Jets 3-1 in Toronto on Jan. 18 in the teams’ only meeting this season, opened the scoring at 8:16 of the first when Hyman took a pass from T.J. Brodie in his own zone and sliced through a the Winnipeg defense before beating Hellebuyck for his eighth of the season.

The Jets got even on their second man advantage of the game at 12:20 when Copp recovered a loose puck and finished off the sequence by tipping Pionk’s point shot for his fifth goal.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a pad save next to Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares (91) and Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey (44) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a pad save next to Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares (91) and Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey (44) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto got that one back when the league’s top-ranked power play connected for the 26th time in 27 games. Matthews, who’s been bothered by a wrist/hand injury and had failed to score in his last five outings, tipped his NHL-best 19th past Hellebuyck off Rielly’s point shot.

NOTES: Matthews’ 20 goals have come in 24 games. ... Rielly celebrated his 27th birthday. ... The Jets play 17 times in 31 days in March.

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Winnipeg Jets left wing Nikolaj Ehlers (27) dives to chip the puck out as Toronto Maple Leafs' John Tavares (91) and Auston Matthews (34) watch the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

Winnipeg Jets left wing Nikolaj Ehlers (27) dives to chip the puck out as Toronto Maple Leafs' John Tavares (91) and Auston Matthews (34) watch the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

The Jets and Maple Leafs play the second game of the three-game set on Thursday night. The finale is Saturday.

More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a save against Toronto Maple Leafs center Alexander Kerfoot (15) as Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey (44) looks for the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a save against Toronto Maple Leafs center Alexander Kerfoot (15) as Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey (44) looks for the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

 Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a save as Toronto Maple Leafs center Jason Spezza (19) looks for the rebound during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a save as Toronto Maple Leafs center Jason Spezza (19) looks for the rebound during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)