Knies breaks third-period tie as surging Leafs beat Rangers 3-2

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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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl