Leafs bring five-match losing run to an end

Toronto: The Toronto Maple Leafs ended a run of five straight losses on Saturday with a 2-1 shootout win over the Washington Capitals.

Phil Kessel and Niklas Hagman both scored in the shootout as the Leafs, who are last in the overall NHL standings, registered just their fourth win from 21 games this season.

"I thought we played very well," coach Ron Wilson said. "In spite of what a lot of people believe, I think our attitude has been pretty good. We earned our breaks tonight with some pretty good play."

The Leafs have not enjoyed much luck this season but fortune was on their side against the high-flying Capitals, who lead the Eastern Conference and are second overall in the league.

Opportunistic goal

After Alex Ovechkin opened the scoring for the Capitols at 17:11 of the opening period, Hagman tied the game with an opportunistic goal at 16:49 in the second period.

Kessel and Hagman both scored in the shootout but Eric Fehr and Ovechkin both failed to get past Vesa Toskala, who made 31 saves in the game.

"We've played hard the last couple of weeks, but we haven't had any breaks," Toskala said.

"They hit the post a few times and Hagman's goal went off his pants, but it's nice to get some breaks for a change."

Results
Home team in CAPS

Calgary 5 LOS ANGELES 2

TORONTO 2 Washington 1

Detroit 3 MONTREAL 2

OTTAWA 5 Buffalo 3

Florida 3 NY RANGERS 2

CAROLINA 3 Tampa Bay 1

Pittsburgh 3 ATLANTA 2

ST LOUIS 4 NY Islanders 1

NASHVILLE 4 Columbus 3