Nylander scores in overtime as the Maple Leafs beat the Penguins 6-5 for their 5th straight win

PITTSBURGH (AP) — William Nylander scored 1:00 into overtime, and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-5 on Sunday.

Nylander, Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies each had a goal and an assist as Toronto earned its fifth consecutive win. John Tavares, Max Domi and Conor Timmins also scored.

It was Nylander’s 35th goal of the season and No. 252 for his career, passing Bob Pulford for 10th on the franchise list. Matthews continued his nine-game point streak with his 390th goal, passing Darryl Sittler for second on the franchise list, trailing only Mats Sundin.

Mitch Marner had an assist to pass George Armstrong for fifth on the franchise points list. Marner has 714 career points.

Crosby had a goal and two assists for the Penguins. He passed Bobby Hull for 18th on the NHL’s career goals list and Gordie Howe for 10th on the league’s assists list. Crosby has 611 goals and 1,050 assists.

Nylander scores in overtime as the Maple Leafs beat the Penguins 6-5 for their 5th straight win | iNFOnews.ca
Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby (87) has a shot blocked by Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Rickard Rakell scored twice for Pittsburgh, including his 500th NHL point. Bryan Rust and Cody Glass also scored, and Joel Blomqvist stopped 27 shots.

Takeaways

Maple Leafs: Winners of eight of nine overall, the Maple Leafs scored at least three goals in each of their wins during their torrid stretch.

Penguins: The Penguins have lost six of their last seven games, including a home game against Boston on Saturday.

Key moment

Nylander scores in overtime as the Maple Leafs beat the Penguins 6-5 for their 5th straight win | iNFOnews.ca
Toronto Maple Leafs’ Conor Timmins (25) celebrates after his goal with John Tavares during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Nylander entered the zone in overtime and scored on a wrist shot from between the circles.

Key stat

The Maple Leafs improved to 27-0-0 this season when leading after two periods.

Up next

Toronto hosts San Jose on Monday, and Pittsburgh visits Colorado on Tuesday.

Nylander scores in overtime as the Maple Leafs beat the Penguins 6-5 for their 5th straight win | iNFOnews.ca
Toronto Maple Leafs’ John Tavares (91) returns to the bench after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Nylander scores in overtime as the Maple Leafs beat the Penguins 6-5 for their 5th straight win | iNFOnews.ca
Toronto Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews (34) defends against Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby, second from left, in front of Maple Leafs goalie Joseph Woll, third from left, during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Nylander scores in overtime as the Maple Leafs beat the Penguins 6-5 for their 5th straight win | iNFOnews.ca
Toronto Maple Leafs’ Conor Timmins (25) clears Pittsburgh Penguins’ Emil Bemstrom (52) from in front of Maple Leafs goalie Joseph Woll, center, during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Nylander scores in overtime as the Maple Leafs beat the Penguins 6-5 for their 5th straight win | iNFOnews.ca
Pittsburgh Penguins’ Bryan Rust (17) backhands a shot past Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) for a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Nylander scores in overtime as the Maple Leafs beat the Penguins 6-5 for their 5th straight win | iNFOnews.ca
Pittsburgh Penguins’ Bryan Rust, center, looks to the scoreboard for a replay of his goal after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Pittsburgh, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Nylander scores in overtime as the Maple Leafs beat the Penguins 6-5 for their 5th straight win | iNFOnews.ca
Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby (87) returns to the bench after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Pittsburgh, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Nylander scores in overtime as the Maple Leafs beat the Penguins 6-5 for their 5th straight win | iNFOnews.ca
Toronto Maple Leafs’ John Tavares (91) celebrates with goalie Joseph Woll after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.