Maple Leafs 5, Rangers 4
Leo Komarov scored his first goal of the season with 5:34 remaining in the third period to snap a tie as host Toronto improved to 4-1-1 in its last six contests.
Komarov added an assist and Phil Kessel tallied to extend his point streak to six games for the Maple Leafs, who have won three straight versus New York - including a 6-3 victory on Oct. 12. Peter Holland scored a short-handed goal, Richard Panik and defenseman Roman Polak also tallied and Jonathan Bernier finished with 31 saves.
Chris Kreider and Mats Zuccarello each collected a goal and an assist while Rick Nash netted his 11th goal to pull into a tie for the NHL lead with Anaheim's Corey Perry. Carl Hagelin also tallied for his 100th career point and Derek Stepan notched an assist in his season debut after suffering a fractured fibula during practice on Sept. 24.
With the game tied at 4-4, Toronto made Rangers defenseman Matt Hunwick pay for a costly turnover as blue-liner Jake Gardiner alertly found Komarov to cap an odd-man rush. Bernier stood tall during the late going, stopping Hagelin on two occasions in the final minute to preserve the win.
A Maple Leafs turnover resulted in Dominic Moore feeding Hagelin, who tucked the puck between Bernier's pads from in close with 2:16 remaining in the second period to forge a 3-3 tie. Nash gave New York its second lead of the contest just 4:33 into the third before Polak answered less than three minutes later as he benefited from David Clarkson's screen to beat Cam Talbot (26 saves).
GAME NOTEBOOK: After Kreider tipped home D Kevin Klein's shot from the point 53 seconds into the contest to open the scoring, Kessel converted at the left post 7 1/2 minutes later to ignite Toronto's three-goal first period. Kessel has collected four goals and seven assists during his point streak. ... Maple Leafs RW Daniel Winnik sat out the contest, two days removed from being stretchered off the ice in Colorado. ... During a stoppage in the first period, Toronto honored Johnny Bower as the Hockey Hall of Famer celebrated his 90th birthday.