Stecher scores with 28 seconds left as Maple Leafs beat Rangers 5-4

Troy Stecher settled a back-and-forth game with 28 seconds remaining Thursday, giving Toronto a 5-4 victory over the New York Rangers at Scotiabank Arena. The Maple Leafs have won three straight games.

During a delayed penalty, Morgan Rielly found Stecher near the top of the right face-off circle. His shot beat Dylan Garand over the glove. Alexis Lafrenière had pulled New York level at 4-4 with 5:35 remaining in the third period.

Brandon Duhaime recorded a goal and two assists for Toronto, while Teddy Blueger had a goal and an assist. Zack MacEwen added two assists, bringing the fourth line’s total to seven points. Easton Cowan and Kirill Marchenko also scored. Sergei Bobrovsky finished with 21 saves.

Toronto coach Jim Hiller credited the line’s forechecking and shot blocking. Stecher told Sportsnet the trio had helped the team find its energy: “they dragged us into the fight.”

Adam Fox assisted on all four Rangers goals. Mika Zibanejad scored and added an assist, with Oliver Bjorkstrand and Tye Kartye supplying New York’s other goals. Garand stopped 30 shots.

Toronto improved to 6-4-2; New York dropped to 7-4-1.