NHL scores 2015: Garret Sparks comes back to earth in 6-1 loss to Winnipeg

Welcome to the NHL for real, Garret Sparks.

Dec 3, 2015, 1:00 PM UTC

Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

The highs of an NHL debut can only last so long, as Maple Leafs goaltender Garret Sparks found out quite quickly in the team's 6-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets Wednesday night. After an emotional shutout win in his first start with the Leafs on Monday, Sparks and the Leafs were handed a drubbing by the Jets in Winnipeg and a sure kick back to reality for the young goaltender.

It was a battle of the rookie goaltenders in net, as Winnipeg was also relying on youngster Connor Hellebuyck in between the pipes with starter Ondrej Pavelec injured and his backup Michael Hutchinson under-performing in relief. Hellebuyck came out on top of the duel, but Sparks was not all at fault in the six-goal loss.

Toronto could not convert on any of their three power plays and took too many penalties of their own, which the Jets capitalized on one of the five Maple Leafs penalties. Their defense was also suspect at times, allowing too soft coverage and giving no support to a young goaltender with just one game of NHL experience.

Hockey Gods: Want a harder challenge tonight? Garret Sparks: I think I'm okay w- Leafs Defence: HARDER? SAY NO MORE pic.twitter.com/TlFOTKUcQX
— The Leafs Nation (@TLNdc) December 3, 2015

Sparks himself, however, was not pleased with his performance after the game, as most goaltenders would be if they had just given up a six-spot to a Canadian rival. The rookie goaltender has had two games at two opposite ends of the performance spectrum, with probably a bit more hockey to play in this first stint in the NHL. There are important lessons to be learned after allowing a bad game and Sparks will no doubt grow from both his highs and his lows over the span of these last few days.

While he may have come back down after his history making shutout win, how Sparks gets back up from this loss will no doubt affect the Leafs seemingly never ending goaltending carousel and his place on it.

Scores

Winnipeg Jets 6, Toronto Maple Leafs 1

New York Islanders 2, New York Rangers 1 (SO)

Edmonton Oilers 3, Boston Bruins 2 (SO)

Tampa Bay Lightning 2, Anaheim Ducks 1

3 things we learned

1. Dan Boyle had a very strange shootout attempt that resulted in a Rangers loss

The Rangers may have lost for other reasons too, but Dan Boyle's shootout move was completely perplexing with the game on his stick. Needing to score on Jaroslav Halak, Boyle instead opted to slowly approach the goaltender and at the last second try a series of mini-dekes in close. Clearly not something he should try again, ever.

You know it's time to get rid of the shootout when Dan Boyle's attempt comes at nearly 0 mph! pic.twitter.com/hbf3ANeOJg
— David Kolb (@DavidKolbMSG) December 3, 2015

2. Zdeno Chara has still got it

He may be slowing down, but Chara can still score goals even outside of his office on the point. Chara's fourth of the year tied the Bruins game against the Oilers at 2-2 to send the game to overtime.

3. Jonathan Drouin netted just his second goal, and first since Oct. 12

The third overall pick in the 2013 draft, Drouin has gone missing over the last few months. Sure, he missed six games due to injury, but in the forward had only one goal in 14 games over the first two months of the season. Drouin now has his second of the year and his first since the first week of the NHL season on this goal that threaded the needle between Anaheim goaltender John Gibson and the left post. The forward also netted an assist in his game back from injury, a good sign for the Lightning.