John Tavares shines with two goals and an assist in Maple Leafs victory
- John Tavares scored two goals and assisted once in the Maple Leafs' win.
- Anthony Stolarz served as the goalie for Toronto, making 27 saves.
- The victory marked Toronto's third straight win while highlighting the Rangers' ongoing struggles at home.
In New York, on the night of March 21, 2025, John Tavares played a pivotal role in the Toronto Maple Leafs' 4-3 victory over the New York Rangers. The game was closely contested with both teams exchanging goals in front of a packed audience. Tavares began the scoring at 12:30 of the first period, launching a powerful shot past Rangers' goalie Igor Shesterkin, assisted by Jake McCabe and William Nylander. This goal also marked a significant milestone for Nylander as it was his 600th career point, showcasing the depth of talent on the Maple Leafs roster. Throughout the match, the Rangers fought hard, with Will Borgen, Artemi Panarin, and Chris Kreider scoring for the team, but it wasn't enough to overcome the determined Maple Leafs. After Borgen equalized late in the first period, Toronto quickly regained the lead through a goal by Bobby McMann just 38 seconds later. Panarin managed to tie the game again at the beginning of the second period, scoring his 31st goal of the season. However, Tavares responded less than three minutes later with his second goal, which was critical in maintaining momentum for the Leafs. The second period showcased the offensive strength of the Maple Leafs, with Matthew Knies extending their lead to 4-2, which solidified their control of the match. As the third period wore on, the Rangers managed to reduce the deficit to 4-3 through Kreider's late goal, but they ultimately could not find the equalizer. Anthony Stolarz made 27 saves for the Maple Leafs, contributing significantly to their defensive efforts as they celebrated their third consecutive victory on this road trip. The Rangers, on the other hand, faced their third consecutive home loss, struggling in their current form with a record of 2-5-2 in their last nine games. This disappointing stretch has seen them drop to 16-17-3 at Madison Square Garden, a stark contrast to their previous season's success. The Maple Leafs are currently in a tight race for the top spot in the Atlantic Division with the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning, making every game crucial as they push for a strong playoff positioning.