NEW YORK — The Toronto Maple Leafs triumphed over the New York Rangers with a close 3-2 victory on Friday evening. In the match at Madison Square Garden, Matthew Knies delivered the decisive goal in the third period, while Anthony Stolarz stood strong in the net, stopping 33 shots to secure the win for Toronto.
Knies’s crucial goal, his 22nd of the season, came at 6:21 in the third period, quickly restoring Toronto’s lead after Will Cuylle had managed to equalize for New York with a short-handed goal. The win marks the Maple Leafs’ fourth consecutive triumph since returning from the 4 Nations Face-off hiatus.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson and William Nylander also contributed to Toronto’s scoreboard. Ekman-Larsson netted an early power-play goal just 1:47 into the game, setting the tone for the Leafs. Meanwhile, Mika Zibanejad put New York on the board, evening the score later in the first period after deflecting a pass from defenseman Will Borgen.
Nylander made his mark less than a minute into the second period, capitalizing on a loose puck and slipping it past Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin for his 34th goal of the season, which leads the team. However, Cuylle’s short-handed goal in the third ignited hope for the Rangers, temporarily bringing the teams back to level ground.
In a critical moment of the game, Stolarz showcased his goalkeeping prowess with an impressive glove save immediately after the Rangers leveled the score at 2-2. Knies followed up with the match-winning goal, ensuring the Leafs emerged victorious.
For the Maple Leafs, this victory moves them just ahead of the idle Florida Panthers atop the Atlantic Division standings. On the other hand, the loss leaves the Rangers four points adrift of the wild-card playoff spots currently held by Ottawa and Detroit.
Stolarz, who has thrived as a backup to starter Joseph Woll, now boasts an improved record of 13-5-2. Looking ahead, the Maple Leafs will face the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday, while the Rangers are set to host the Nashville Predators the same night.
