Toronto Maple Leafs left winger James van Riemsdyk, who scored the winning shootout goal, congratulates goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) after the team's 3-2 win over the Nashville Predators an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
TORONTO (AP) - James van Riemsdyk and Frederik Andersen gave the Toronto Maple Leafs a full two points in the standings.
James van Riemsdyk scored in regulation and again in the seventh round of a shootout, and Anderson made 44 saves in the Maple Leafs' 3-2 victory over the Nashville Predators on Wednesday night.
Kasperi Kapanen also scored in regulation to help the Maple Leafs win for the sixth time in seven games. Andersen improved to 7-1-0 against Nashville.
"Freddie had to be good," Leafs coach Mike Babcock said. "Good for Freddie and good for us - we got the points."
Colton Sissons and Viktor Arvidsson scored for the Predators, and Pekka Rinne stopped 30 shots.
Van Riemsdyk opened the scoring in the first period after collecting a pass from Connor Brown along the side boards. Van Riemsdyk's long-range shot went off the stick of defenseman Alexei Emelin and past Rinne at 16:06.
The Leafs added to their lead in the second period. With Nashville on the power play, Kapanen stripped P.K Subban of the puck at the Predators' blue line for a breakaway. Craig Smith caught up to Kapanen, who initially blocked his path to the goal, but Kapanen spun around Smith and put a wrist shot through the legs of Rinne to give Toronto a 2-0 lead at 9:38.
"I was getting pretty tired there, so I just gave it all I got and lucky enough I just got him on my back, and it ended up the way it did," Kapanen said.
The Predators scored their first goal when Pontus Aberg's shot hit van Riemsdyk on the way to the net, and Sissons picked up the loose puck and beat an out-of-position Andersen at 18:10. Nashville tied it early in the third when Arvidsson picked up a rebound in front of Andersen and shot the puck through his legs.
"We want to be one of the best teams and we feel like as long as we play our system and play our game and compete every night and work we can play with anybody," Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly said.
UP NEXT
Predators: At Ottawa on Thursday night.
Maple Leafs: Host Ottawa on Saturday night.
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Toronto Maple Leafs left winger James van Riemsdyk (25) scores the winning shootout goal on Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne (35) during an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Nashville Predators right wing Miikka Salomaki (20) moves in on Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) for a scoring chance during the third period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne (35) makes a save with Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) bearing down on him during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Nashville Predators left winger Viktor Arvidsson (33) celebrates his goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs with teammates Ryan Johansen (92) and Ryan Ellis (4) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Toronto Maple Leafs center William Nylander (29) lunges for the puck in front of Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne (35) as Predators center Colton Sissons (10) and defenseman Alexei Emelin (25) move in during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne (35) plays the puck as Toronto Maple Leafs centre Nazem Kadri (43) watches during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Toronto Maple Leafs center William Nylander (29) is sent to the ice in front of Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne (35) as Predators center Colton Sissons (10) and defenseman Alexei Emelin (25) move in during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Nashville Predators left wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) crashes into Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Nashville Predators' Pontus Aberg (46) and Viktor Arvidsson (33) vie for position with Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner (51) in front of a fallen Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press