Troy Stecher scores late winner as Maple Leafs beat Rangers 5-4
Troy Stecher scored with 26.3 seconds remaining to lift the Toronto Maple Leafs past the New York Rangers 5-4 for their third straight win. Brandon Duhaime had three points, while Sergei Bobrovsky tied Henrik Lundqvist with 459 career victories.
Troy Stecher scored with just 26.3 seconds remaining in regulation to give the Toronto Maple Leafs a 5-4 victory over the New York Rangers on Thursday night, extending their winning streak to three games.
The defenceman broke a late tie after receiving a pass from Morgan Rielly during a delayed penalty, firing a high shot past Rangers goaltender Dylan Garand to secure Toronto’s sixth victory of the season.
The Maple Leafs improved to 6-4-2, while New York dropped to 7-4-1 following a game in which both teams combined for nine goals.
Brandon Duhaime led Toronto offensively with a goal and two assists, while Teddy Blueger, Kirill Marchenko and Easton Cowan also found the back of the net.
Stecher delivers decisive goal in final seconds
With the game tied 4-4 and overtime approaching, Stecher provided the decisive moment for the Maple Leafs.
Toronto maintained possession during a delayed penalty against New York, allowing Rielly to find Stecher in position to shoot.
The defenceman capitalized on the opportunity, sending his attempt high into the net with less than half a minute remaining.
The goal secured Toronto’s third consecutive victory and continued the team’s recent offensive momentum following its 6-2 road win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Duhaime played a significant role in the victory, finishing with three points. Blueger also contributed a goal and an assist, while Zack MacEwen recorded two assists.
Marchenko and Cowan continued to provide offensive contributions for Toronto, giving the Maple Leafs five different goal scorers in the contest.
The balanced scoring proved important against a Rangers team that remained competitive throughout the night.
Bobrovsky matches Henrik Lundqvist’s historic mark
While Stecher’s late goal decided the game, Toronto goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky reached a notable NHL milestone.
Bobrovsky made 21 saves against New York, earning his 459th career victory and tying former Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist for the most wins by a goaltender born outside North America.
The achievement places Bobrovsky alongside one of the most accomplished European goaltenders in NHL history.
Lundqvist spent his entire NHL career with the Rangers, making the milestone particularly significant given the opponent.
At the other end of the ice, Garand stopped 31 shots for New York but was unable to prevent Stecher’s late winner.
The Rangers received goals from Mika Zibanejad, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Tye Kartye and Alexis Lafrenière.
Zibanejad added an assist for a two-point performance, while defenceman Adam Fox recorded four assists, contributing to each of New York’s goals.
Despite that production, the Rangers were unable to force overtime after Toronto regained the lead in the closing seconds.
Maple Leafs carry three-game winning streak into Edmonton
Toronto’s latest victory follows a 6-2 win over Columbus, where Auston Matthews scored in his 700th NHL appearance and the Maple Leafs produced four goals in the second period.
Thursday’s result required a different finish, with Toronto needing a goal in the final minute to overcome a Rangers team that matched its offensive output for much of the contest.
The Maple Leafs have now scored 11 goals across their last two games, receiving contributions from several players throughout the lineup.
Duhaime’s three-point performance, Blueger’s two-point night and Stecher’s late winner highlighted the depth of Toronto’s scoring against New York.
The Maple Leafs will look to extend their winning streak when they visit the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night.
Toronto heads into that matchup with a 6-4-2 record and three consecutive victories, while Bobrovsky sits level with Lundqvist on 459 career NHL wins.
