TORONTO

Little stretches point streak to six games as Jets beat Leafs 5-1

The Canadian Press Published Saturday, January 3, 2015 10:02PM EST Last Updated Saturday, January 3, 2015 10:03PM EST

Winnipeg Jets' Dustin Byfuglien (33) his goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during second period NHL action in Winnipeg on January 3, 2015. (John Woods / The Canadian Press)

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WINNIPEG -- Bryan Little had a goal and two assists-- stretching his point streak to six games-- as the Winnipeg Jets downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-1 on Saturday night.

Dustin Byfuglien and Ben Chariot each had a goal and an assist for the Jets (20-12-7) while T.J. Galiardi and Matt Halischuk also scored.

Winnipeg captain Andrew Ladd chipped in with two assists.

Chiarot's goal was the first of his NHL career while Galiardi's was his first of the season.

Mike Santorelli was the lone goal scorer for the Maple Leafs (21-16-3).

Michael Hutchinson was solid when called upon, making 20 saves for his 10th win of the season. James Reimer fell to 6-7-0 with the loss after allowing five goals on 40 shots.

The Leafs were certainly feeling the effects at the end of a gruelling season-high seven-game road trip, in which they finished with just two wins.

The Jets snapped a two-game skid with the win.

Toronto was without the services of Nazem Kadri, Joffrey Lupul and Peter Holland, all out with injuries.

Winnipeg played without its top four defencemen-- Mark Stuart, Zach Bogosian, Tobias Enstrom and Jacob Trouba-- as well as forward Evander Kane.

Both teams played to a scoreless first 20 minutes. The Jets had the edge in shots, 10-6.

Phil Kessel briefly headed to the Leafs dressing room early in the game after colliding awkwardly with Byfuglien, but returned soon after.

Santorelli opened the scoring early in the second after batting a puck out of the air to make it 1-0.

The Jets responded just 1:10 later as Galiardi scored his first of the season after some fine work by Byfuglien to create the scoring chance.

Byfuglien was at it again, leading the Leafs on wild goose chase before Chiarot let one go from the point that was tipped by Halischuk to make it 2-1.

Byfuglien then scored his ninth of the season with just under 10 minutes left in the second to put the Jets up 3-1.

Little added his team leading 15th goal of the season in the third period and Chiarot made it 5-1 with 9:05 remaining in regulation.

The Jets improved to 7-2-1 against the Leafs since moving from Atlanta in 2011.

Toronto returns to the Air Canada Centre on Wednesday for a contest against the Washington Capitals.

Winnipeg welcomes the San Jose Sharks on Monday night before heading on the road for three games.