Tarasenko ends it 20 seconds into OT

If the Maple Leafs can keep holding opponents to one regulation goal a night, they’ll stay alive in the race for a playoff spot.

Though they dropped a 2-1 overtime decision to the St. Louis Blues on Thursday night, the Leafs turned in a second straight strong defensive effort and have three of a possible four points on this homestand. Vladimir Tarasenko won it 20 seconds into the extra frame.

Frederik Andersen had a strong outing, making 38 saves, while Jake Allen was bidding for his second win over the Leafs in a week.

The Leafs pressed hard for the win in regulation, but Allen stood firm. Toronto’s Leo Komarov put the puck into the Blues net with 3.2 seconds remaining, but the goal came after the whistle.

The standing sin the East continue to be tight with Boston winning i ts first game under new coach Bruce Cassidy and the Senators moving a point ahead of Toronto after beating Dallas 3-2.

When Morgan Rielly knocked in a Nazem Kadri rebound late in the opening period it ended Allen’s bid for the first St. Louis shutout in Toronto since ex- Leaf Grant Fuhr got one at the Gardens in 1997.

Rielly, labouring a bit the past few games with a high ankle sprain, picked up his second goal of the year, but much of the credit should go to Kadri after a nice rush up the right side. His shot was touched ever so slightly by William Nylander, giving the Leafs 21 straight goals involving a rookie, going back to the last goal in Detroit on Jan. 24.

Toronto’s first power play of the game didn’ t come until midway through the third period. Alex Pietrangelo gave the Leafs a scare when he j umped out of the penalty box and skated in on a breakaway, but he failed to score.

Nikita Soshnikov, singled out for praise by Mike Babcock of late for his strong two-way play, was a late scratch with an upper body injury.

That brought Josh Leivo into the lineup for the first time in 13 games. In a switch that didn’t survive much past the first shift, Nylander changed right wing positions with Connor Brown on the all- freshman line with Auston Matthews and Zach Hyman.

The Leafs tightrope between flashy offence and high- risk defence was highlighted again in the first period. They gave up 17 shots and were fortunate not to be behind more than one goal.

Andersen returned to the net after Curtis McElhinney’s stellar home start against Dallas on Tuesday and was quickly under siege. On the Blues’ second shot Patrik Berglund had a clean look and beat Andersen for his 21st goal.

Toronto’ s four-game stand at the ACC continues Saturday against Buffalo.