Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Matthew Knies (23) and New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (93) battle for the puck in the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
February 28, 2025 - 7:04 PM
NEW YORK (AP) — Matthew Knies broke a third-period tie, Anthony Stolarz made 33 saves, and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the New York Rangers 3-2 on Friday night.
Knies scored his 22nd goal at 6:21 of the third, less than three minutes after Will Cuylle tied it for New York with a short-handed goal.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson and William Nylander also scored to help Toronto win its fourth straight National Hockey League game since the 4 Nations Face-off break. The Leafs won seven of eight games in February.
Mika Zibanejad also scored for the Rangers. They had won two in a row.
Ekman-Larsson opened the scoring on a power play 1:47 into the contest. Zibanejad tied it with 6:52 left in the period, deflecting a pass from defenceman Will Borgen.
Nylander scored 51 seconds into the second, jamming a loose puck past goalie Igor Shesterkin for his team-leading 34th goal.
Cuylle tied it at 3:47 of the third with the short-handed goal.
TAKEAWAYS
Maple Leafs: Toronto moved a point ahead of the idle Florida Panthers for the Atlantic Division lead.
Rangers: New York remained four points behind Ottawa and Detroit, current holders of wild-card playoff berths.
KEY MOMENT
Stolarz made a dazzling glove save just after Rangers tied it 2-2. Knies scored the winning goal shortly thereafter.
KEY STAT
Stolarz improved to 13-5-2 in a backup role to starter Joseph Woll.
UP NEXT
Maple Leafs: Visit the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday.
Rangers: Host the Nashville Predators on Sunday.
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