Jake McCabe lifts Leafs past Penguins in overtime

Field Level Media|published: Mon 8th April, 22:05 2024

Apr 8, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Drew O'Connor (10) battles for the puck with Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe (22) in front of goaltender Ilya Samsonov (35) during the second period at Scotiabank Arena. credits: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Jake McCabe scored at 1:30 of overtime and the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 on Monday for their fifth victory in six games.

McCabe scored his eighth goal of the season on a pass from Auston Matthews.

Matthews scored his league-leading 65th goal of the season to give Toronto a 2-1 lead early in the third period before Drew O'Connor responded for the Penguins at 13:38.

Matthew Knies also scored and Ilya Samsonov stopped 29 shots for the Maple Leafs (45-23-9, 99 points).

Rickard Rakell added a goal for the Penguins, who had won their previous four games as they battle for a playoff spot.

Alex Nedeljkovic made 20 saves for Pittsburgh (36-30-12, 84 points) in his ninth straight start. The Penguins extended their point streak to nine games (6-0-3).

The teams split their two previous meetings this season.

Pittsburgh scored the first goal of the game at 18:06 of the first period after the Maple Leafs failed to clear the puck. Rakell, finding no one available for a pass, spun around and shot from the left circle for his 14th goal of the season and the 200th of his career. Evgeni Malkin got the assist, and Michael Bunting screened Samsonov.

The Maple Leafs dominated early in the second period, and it resulted in the 15th goal of the season for Knies at 5:36. TJ Brodie set it up with a pass from the right circle to the edge of the crease. Morgan Rielly made the pass to Brodie.

Nedeljkovic stopped Toronto's Mitch Marner on a breakaway at 9:54 of the second.

Samsonov came up with a big save during a Pittsburgh power play late in the middle frame.

Matthews scored three seconds into a power play with a 44-foot one-timer at 1:22 the third period. John Tavares made the pass off the faceoff with Erik Karlsson serving a tripping penalty.

O'Connor scored his 14th of the season, rapping in a rebound to tie the contest. Sidney Crosby worked the puck out of the corner and passed to Pierre-Olivier Joseph, who shot from the point.

—Field Level Media

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