Oct. 19, 2024 22:04 PM EST

Kreider Scores 2, Shesterkin Has 34 Saves As Rangers Beat Maple Leafs 4-1

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz (41) reacts as New York Rangers centre Vincent Trocheck (16) celebrates a goal by Alexis Lafreniere (13) during first period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Saturday, October 19, 2024. (Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP) Cole Burston, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz (41) reacts as New York Rangers centre Vincent Trocheck (16) celebrates a goal by Alexis Lafreniere (13) during first period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Saturday, October 19, 2024. (Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews (34) skates behind the net of New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. (Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz (41) makes a save on a shot by New York Rangers centre Filip Chytil (72) during first period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Saturday, October 19, 2024. (Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP)
New York Rangers left wing Alexis Lafreniere (13) celebrates his goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs with defenseman Victor Mancini (90) and center Vincent Trocheck (16) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. (Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz (41) makes a save as Maple Leafs defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (95) and New York Rangers centre Vincent Trocheck (16) watch the puck in front of the net during first period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Saturday, October 19, 2024. (Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP)
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TORONTO (AP) — Chris Kreider scored twice and Igor Shesterkin stopped 34 shots as the New York Rangers beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1 on Saturday night.

Alexis Lafreniere and Artemi Panarin also scored for the Rangers, and Mika Zibanejad and Reilly Smith each had two assists. New York improved to 4-0-1 on the season.

Auston Matthews scored for Toronto and Anthony Stolarz finished with 25 saves.

Shesterkin made a number of big stops throughout the night, including on John Tavares and a two on William Nylander.

Matthews, who led the NHL with 69 goals last season, broke the Russian goalie's shutout bid in the third period when he cut New York’s lead to 2-1 before Kreider and Panarin scored empty-netters.

Takeaways

The Maple Leafs snapped an 0-for-9 run on the power play with two goals against the Los Angeles Kings in Wednesday’s 6-2 victory, but were 0 for 3 against the Rangers to drop to 2 for 16 on the season.

The Rangers have won their first three road games to start a season for just the third time in franchise history — and for the first time in 92 years. New York also accomplished the feat in 1927-28 and 1931-32.

Key moment

Leafs forward Max Domi passed up a terrific opportunity to shoot on a 3-on-1 in the second before Kreider made it 2-0 moments later on a delayed penalty off a slick pass from Zibanejad.

Key stat

Lafreniere has at least point in each of the first five games, tying Tomas Sandstrom (1986-87) and Mike McEwen (1978-79) for the second-longest season-opening point streak by a Rangers player age 23 or younger. Darren Turcotte (1990-91) tops the list with an 11-game run.

Up Next

Maple Leafs host Tampa Bay on Monday night to finish a four-game homestand, and Rangers visit Montreal on Tuesday to conclude a three-game trip.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

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