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Sports

Jokinen scores 2 odd goals, Panthers beat Maple Leafs 4-1

Associated Press
Published | Updated

TORONTO – Jussi Jokinen scored two unusual goals to help lift the Florida Panthers to a 4-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night.

Jokinen wasn't attempting to score on either goal against the Maple Leafs, with two passing attempts pinging off Toronto sticks and beating Jonathan Bernier, who made his third straight start in goal.

Jaromir Jagr and Teddy Purcell added empty-net goals for the Panthers, who won for the fourth time in five games. Florida is three wins from matching its franchise record of 43.

Morgan Rielly scored for the Leafs, who had a two-game win streak snapped.

Bernier turned aside 28 shots, while Florida's Roberto Luongo stopped 32 of 33 shots.

Jokinen opened the scoring 24 seconds into the second period when his passing attempt to Vincent Trocheck deflected off the stick of Leafs forward Ben Smith. Toronto used its 15th coach's challenge — tied for the league lead — and claimed Florida was offside. But, the goal was confirmed by video review.

Jokinen added his second goal of the night and 15th of the season about nine minutes later when his pass from behind the goal line went off the stick of Leafs defenseman Connor Carrick and into the net.

Rielly brought the Leafs to within one late in the second, sneaking an innocent-looking shot past Luongo from high in the slot. It was the 22-year-old's eighth goal of the year, matching a career high.

Both teams had decent chances in a scoreless opening frame.

Michael Grabner broke free of the Panthers defense, but was stopped by Luongo, the NHL's active wins leader. Toronto rookie Zach Hyman redirected Jake Gardiner's point shot a few minutes later, but was also turned aside by Luongo.

Florida's best chance early came from Jagr. The 44-year-old star, who recently passed Gordie Howe for sole possession of third on the NHL's career scoring list, got to a rebound but had his shot stopped by Bernier's right pad.

NOTES: Connor Brown became the 10th Maple Leafs player to make his NHL debut. A sixth-round pick, Brown was recalled on an emergency basis to replace Leo Komarov, who was hurt in Toronto's win over Tampa earlier this week. ... It was the Panthers' second win in as many meetings with the Leafs this season. Florida beat Toronto 5-1 on Jan. 26.