Leafs 3-2 Ducks: Toronto Extends Atlantic Lead with Road Wins

To enhance their chances of winning the Atlantic Division, the Maple Leafs needed massive results on the Pacific coast.

Five of a possible six points will go a long way, and they hope Sunday isn't the only occasion this season they play in a later time zone.

With their nailbiter 3-2 victory in Anaheim, the regular season is over for them outside of their familiar Eastern time zone, with only eight games remaining. The Maple Leafs are presently three points ahead of Florida and Tampa Bay. The latter two are involved in a game.

After nearly blowing a two-goal lead against the playoff-eliminated Ducks, fourth-liner Steven Lorentz's late game tip made the difference a night after upsetting the Los Angeles Kings 3-1. Only a shootout setback in San Jose prevented the Leafs from sweeping the trip.

As the calendar turns to April 1 on Tuesday, Toronto and its legions of restless supporters can begin actual playoff preparations.

The Leafs were unaffected by the previous night's events, and the trip down the highway was not difficult.

Toronto may have built a more significant lead after the first period. However, a significant high-stick rule went their way. On Saturday's goal in Los Angeles, Mitch Marner slapped a puck over his shoulder, cancelling out an Auston Matthews-to-Matthew Knies pass.

After killing two Ducks power plays, which have been the home team's Achilles heel this season, the Leafs scored in the last minute of the first period. Max Domi, who had tried to force passes on previous rushes, held on to the puck, deked his old boxing partner Radko Gudas and blasted a backhander beneath goalie Lukas Dostal's crossbar.

In the following period, Marner recorded one count. Simon Benoit made a great cover in a bustle around goaltender Joseph Woll, which helped send Marner away for a breakaway. Marner is now nine points from 100.

The youthful Ducks would not be quiet for long, as Leo Carlsson, the second-overall choice behind Connor Bedard two years ago, beat Woll on a screenshot for his 20th of the season. It happened after sustained pressure on William Nylander, who failed to get a puck deep at the Ducks' blueline.

The Ducks did use their special teams to tie it, with Sam Colangelo capitalizing on an early third-period rebound off the post after Matthews hit iron at the opposite end. However, with both fourth lines on the ice, Lorentz capitalized on David Kampf's shot by redirecting it.

Woll won his 25th game with 28 saves, including 20 or more blocked shots.

The Leafs now have two days off en route home, but the Panthers are waiting on the other side, visiting Toronto on Wednesday. The Leafs will play four games in eight days, including three against the Panthers and Lightning. Aside from a game in Buffalo, the Leafs' opponents are mostly playoff clubs or near contenders.