Jets' Maurice after wild OT vs. Leafs: 'It's a shitshow out there'

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets engaged in one of the most eventful three-on-three overtimes of the season on Wednesday night.

The two teams traded chances for five minutes straight, keeping the fans on their feet. Despite the action, the game was eventually settled in the shootout, with the Jets coming out on top.

"It was nuts," Jets forward Mason Appleton told The Athletic's Ken Wiebe. "There were so many opportunities at both ends. I couldn't believe it didn't end in overtime."

Natural Stat Trick tracked a total of nine scoring chances in overtime - six for Winnipeg and three for Toronto. At one point, the Jets had a 2-on-0, followed by a clear-cut breakaway less than a minute later.

Jets head coach Paul Maurice admitted three-on-three overtime has grown on him.

"I didn't care for three-on-three when it came in but I think it's outstanding," he told Wiebe. "If you're going to spend money to come see a game, somebody should win and somebody should lose. Three-on-three, I can't use the words that came into my head ... a free-for-all of fecal matter. It's a shitshow out there and that's great."

Many fans have been clamoring for the idea of extending overtime, others would like to get rid of the shootout all together.

Jets forward Mark Scheifele would like to see overtime extended by five minutes.

"I'd be down for that," he told Wiebe. "For sure."

So, too, would Maple Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen.

"I'd rather win in overtime than lose in a shootout, obviously," Andersen said. "If we have more chances, that's what it is. But I'd like to see more overtime, to be honest."

Other goaltenders, most notably Chicago Blackhawks' Robin Lehner, dislike the shootout as well.

Some players, though, are content with just five minutes of three-on-three.

"No, five minutes is pretty good," Jets sniper Patrik Laine told Wiebe. "That's a pretty good pace with five minutes. Everybody is getting two or three shifts max, so that's good."