TORONTO — Troy Stecher settled a see-saw game in the final minute Thursday, scoring the decisive goal in the Maple Leafs’ 5–4 home victory over the New York Rangers on October 22.

The Canadian Press and Associated Press reported that Stecher struck with 26.3 seconds remaining. Morgan Rielly supplied the pass during a delayed penalty, giving Toronto its third consecutive win.

Depth scoring makes the difference

Brandon Duhaime contributed three points, including a goal. Teddy Blueger, Kirill Marchenko and Easton Cowan also scored for Toronto. Zack MacEwen recorded two assists, while Blueger added one.

Alexis Lafrenière had brought New York level at 4–4 in the third period. The Rangers’ other scorers were Mika Zibanejad, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Tye Kartye; Adam Fox assisted on all four New York goals.

Toronto goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 21 shots. His 459th career victory moved him alongside Henrik Lundqvist in sixth place on the NHL’s all-time wins list. Dylan Garand made 31 saves for the Rangers.

Toronto improved to 6–4–2, while New York fell to 7–4–1. The Leafs next visit Edmonton on Saturday.

Sources: The Canadian Press via Sportsnet, October 22; Associated Press via theScore; NHL official recap of Thursday’s game.

Editorial illustration of a late-game hockey winner in Toronto.