Maple Leafs surprise Lightning
HOCKEY
Three third-period goals lift Toronto to 4-1 win on home ice.
TORONTO — Ben Smith and Con- nor Carrick scored their first goals of the season as the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning, 4-1, in National Hockey League action Tuesday.
With the win, the Leafs (24-3411) have won back-to-back games and picked up points in four of their last five.
Zach Hyman and P.A. Parenteau added empty-net goals while Jonathan Bernier made 26 saves for his ninth win of the season.
Brian Boyle had the lone goal for Tampa Bay (40-25-5). Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 20 shots in the loss.
The Bolts drop to 7-2-0 in their last nine road contests.
Toronto snapped its three-game losing streak against Tampa Bay with the win. The two clubs meet for a fifth and final time on March 28.
With the Leafs leading 1-0, Peter Holland had two excellent opportunities 2:35 into the third period, but was unable to solve Vasilevskiy.
Boyle tied it 1-1 at 6:33 of the third period beating Bernier low blocker side for his 11th of the season. The goal snapped Bernier’s shutout streak at 108 minutes and 48 seconds.
Smith restored Toronto’s one- goal lead at 9:07 of the third period putting the rebound off of Michael Grabner’s shot between the legs of Vasilevskiy. It was Smith’s first goal since March 29, 2015, while with the San Jose Sharks.
Carrick opened the scoring one-timing the rebound off of Holland’s shot at 13:34 of the second period. It was Carrick’s first goal since Oct. 3, 2013, while a member of the Washington Capitals.
The Leafs continue their sixgame home stand on Thursday when they host the Florida Panthers. NOTES: Leafs RW Brad Boyes (shoulder) and D Viktor Loov (undisclosed) each missed their fourth game due to injury. Tampa Bay played with 11 forwards and seven defencemen. The Lightning were without Cedric Paquette (lower body), Valtteri Filppula (upper body) and Eric Condra (healthy scratch).