Maple Leafs 3, Lightning 2
James van Riemsdyk scored with 4:03 left in the third period to snap a tie and Jonathan Bernier turned aside 40 shots as Toronto held on to edge visiting Tampa Bay.
Phil Kessel set up van Riemsdyk’s 21st goal, which matched a career high, after a Lightning turnover and Nazem Kadri scored twice for the Maple Leafs. Bernier made 13 saves in the third period, including a huge stop on Tampa Bay captain Martin St. Louis with 3:17 remaining.
Mark Barberio netted his fourth goal in four games and fellow defenseman Matt Carle also scored for the Lightning, who saw their three-game winning streak end. Ben Bishop made 23 saves en route to just his second regulation loss in 17 decisions.
Kadri capitalized on a turnover to skate up the slot and beat Bishop to the stick side 1:49 into the second period to open the scoring. Kadri doubled the lead at 9:47, taking a pass from Joffrey Lupul before toe-dragging the puck past Tampa Bay defenseman Victor Hedman and deking to his backhand to score.
Ondrej Palat set up Carle in the left faceoff circle at 13:13 and Barberio tied it just under four minutes later, sweeping home a pass from Palat after a scramble in front. Tyler Bozak caused the turnover late in the third and Kessel slipped a pass to van Riemsdyk, who made no mistake from the slot.
GAME NOTEBOOK: St. Louis registered six shots on goal but saw his 10-game point streak come to an end. …Toronto D Tim Gleason hit the end boards awkwardly with 1:38 left in the game and did not return. … The Lightning finished with an 11-8 advantage in shots during a scoreless first period, even though Toronto had 5 1/2 minutes of power-play time.