{
  "id": 16138642,
  "title": "Stecher scores in final minute to lift Maple Leafs to 5-4 win over Rangers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/stecher-scores-in-final-minute-to-lift-maple-leafs-to-5-4-win-over",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-23T01:58:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/2026/10/22/stecher-scores-in-final-minute-to-lift-maple-leafs-to-5-4-win-over-rangers"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a thrilling finish, the Toronto Maple Leafs secured a 5-4 victory over the New York Rangers on Thursday, thanks to a last-minute goal by Troy Stecher with 26.3 seconds remaining in regulation. The game was a back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading goals in the first six minutes. Brandon Duhaime scored the opening goal for Toronto just over three minutes into the contest. New York responded 10:01 into the game when Mika Zibanejad scored and added an assist. Followed by Teddy Blueger with a goal and two assists, Kirill Marchenko and Easton Cowan providing the rest of Toronto's offense. Sergei Bobrovsky made 21 saves for Toronto, while Zack MacEwen added two assists. Blueger also had an assist, contributing to his two-point night for the Maple Leafs. New York rallied with goals from Mika Zibanejad, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Tye Kartye, and Alexis Lafrenière, who aided Zack MacEwen with two assists. Stecher's winning goal came after a delayed penalty, with Stecher taking a pass from Morgan Rielly and firing a shot upward. Following a back-and-forth affair, the Maple Leafs remain atop the Eastern Conference standings.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Troy Stecher scored last-minute goal to win 5-4",
    "Game was back-and-forth with six-minute trade",
    "Maple Leafs stay atop Eastern Conference standings"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Toronto's ability to capitalize on late-game opportunities secures their position at the top of the Eastern Conference standings despite a highly competitive and scoring-heavy matchup against New York.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}