Matthew Knies scored the game-winner in the third period after an Igor Shesterkin giveaway behind the Rangers' net.
Feb 28, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz (41) celebrates with defenseman Jake McCabe (22) and center David Kampf (64) after defeating the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Although the Toronto Maple Leafs squeezed out a 3-2 win over the New York Rangers on Friday, head coach Craig Berube wasn't too happy with his team's play.
Toronto struggled to generate much at the other end of the rink in the game, being outshot by the Rangers 35-17. The Maple Leafs also gave away the puck 25 times compared to New York's 17 giveaways.
"A little lackluster, in my opinion. But we found a way to win," Berube said.
"I didn't think we generated enough offensively or got to our game tonight with our forecheck and our hard play down in the offensive zone. (The puck) was in and out too quick. We spent too much time playing in our end."
Oliver Ekman-Larsson got the Maple Leafs going with a power play goal in the first period, though just over 10 minutes later Mika Zibanejad tied it.
William Nylander scored early in the second, tying him for 10th all time in franchise goals (251). After a Rangers goal early in the third, Toronto's top line forced a turnover and Matthew Knies found the back of the net, his 22nd of the season and the game-winner.
One area where the Maple Leafs dominated the Rangers was shot-blocking. Toronto blocked 25 shots, while New York only had nine blocks in the game.
"We did a lot of good things defensively. I thought that we blocked shots, sticks were good and we kept a lot of their shots on the outside," Berube said.
"But we gotta our forecheck going. That's a big part of our game and has been all year and it just wasn't there tonight."
Anthony Stolarz stopped 28 of 29 shots for his 13th win of the year. He improves to a .927 save percentage, an NHL-best among goaltenders who've played 10 or more games this season.
Berube mentioned on Friday morning that, as the playoffs approach, decisions will need to be made on who Toronto's starting goaltender will be going into the playoffs.
With 23 games left in the regular season, Stolarz was asked if he's felt his game elevate with the postseason approaching.
"For me, it's just going out there and taking it one day at a time. At the end of the day, nothing's set in stone. You look at how tight the east is, every game matters, every point matters," Stolarz said following the game.
"I don't think we want to look too far ahead. I know I won't. I just want to take it day by day and enjoy the process, enjoy going out and working hard with these guys and put it together and see how it goes the rest of the year.
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