NHL

Bozak nets hat trick in 3rd period, Komarov has 2 goals as Maple Leafs beat Avalanche 7-4

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Brad Boyes, left, reaches out for the puck as Colorado Avalanche's Tyson Barrie defends during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Dec. 21, 2015, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (The Associated Press)

Toronto Maple Leafs center Byron Froese, center, dives past Colorado Avalanche right wing Jarome Iginla to control the puck after winning a face-off during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Dec. 21, 2015, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (The Associated Press)

Toronto Maple Leafs center Leo Komarov, back, of Estonia, pursues the puck as Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie watches during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Dec. 21, 2015, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (The Associated Press)

Tyler Bozak scored three times in the third period and the Toronto Maple Leafs broke loose for four goals in the final 20 minutes to beat the Colorado Avalanche 7-4 on Monday night.

Leo Komarov had two goals and an assist, James van Riemsdyk had a goal and two assists, and Joffrey Lupul had one of three power-play goals for Toronto. The Maple Leafs are 4-0-2 in their last six games.

Bozak got the winner when he joined a 2-on-1 rush with van Riemsdyk. Bozak took a pass from van Riemsdyk, and goalie Semyon Varlamov made the initial save but the puck trickled through his legs and over the line 49 seconds into the period.

Bozak scored on a breakaway at 6:47 to put Toronto ahead 5-3, and van Riemsdyk finished the flurry with his 11th at 10:40. Bozak finished his hat trick with an empty-net goal at 16:20.