Kessel's two goals lift Maple Leafs past Edmonton Oilers

Toronto: James Reimer finally allowed a goal but the Toronto Maple Leafs offence stepped up to beat the visiting Edmonton Oilers 6-3 on Monday for their third straight victory.

Reimer entered the night having posted 74 saves in two consecutive shutouts, but it was teammate Phil Kessel who took on the role of game-winner with two goals to lead the Maple Leafs' charge.

Kessel pushed his goal total to 29 on the season with his two scores but was keen to praise the role of his teammates. "It was all [Matthew Lombardi]," Kessel told reporters of his first goal, a second-period wrist shot. "He saw me and made a great pass and it was a pretty easy one, open net." The win moved Toronto (28-19-6) into seventh in the tight Eastern Conference playoff race.

Edmonton's Jordan Eberle netted a score 21 seconds into the game to end any hope of a third straight Toronto shutout. He then added another late in a first period to level the game at 2-2 after Clarke MacArthur and Jake Gardiner scored for the Leafs.

RESULTS

• TORONTO 6 Edmonton 3
• PHOENIX 3 Detroit 1
• ANAHEIM 3 Calgary 2
• home team in CAPS