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Kubina's game-winner in OT helps Maple Leafs edge Panthers

Dec 23, 2007 - 4:31 AM SUNRISE, Florida (Ticker) -- Defenseman Pavel Kubina and the struggling Toronto Maple Leafs only had to look to the Florida Panthers for relief.

Kubina scored the game-winning goal in overtime as the Maple Leafs edged the Panthers, 2-1, on Saturday.

Kyle Wellwood scored early and captain Mats Sundin helped on both goals for Toronto, which snapped a three-game losing streak.

"It was tough those (last three) games, but we still were playing good hockey," Kubina said. "It's going to be great to have a couple of days without hockey, especially before Christmas. But then, we have to start thinking about the next (game)."

It's no surprise the Maple Leafs ended their skid against the Panthers, whom they've beaten nine of the last 11 times. Toronto also has had success here, winning four of its last five at BankAtlantic Arena.

The Leafs entered the extra session with a man-advantage because Florida's Richard Zednik was called for slashing with just 75 seconds left in regulation.

Zednik refused interview requests after the game, but Panthers coach Jacques Martin's said, "I'll let you talk about it. I'd rather not talk about it."

In overtime, Tomas Kaberle made a quick pass to fellow blue-liner Kubina, who blasted a shot from the top of the right faceoff circle past goaltender Tomas Vokoun for the game-winner just 34 seconds into the extra session.

"I got a new stick five minutes beforehand," Kubina said. "A great play by Mats and Kaby (Kaberle) as it gave me so much time. They took the left side away and I just shot it on net."

It was just Toronto's second win in nine overtime games this season.

"We can't take penalties in a crucial time of the game," Vokoun said. "I don't know if it was a good call or bad call. It doesn't matter. You just can't do it because it's going to cost you huge points - and it cost us today a chance to win the game."

Wellwood put the Maple Leafs up early in the opening session.

With a man-advantage, Sundin sent the puck from the left circle to the front of the crease where Wellwood, who didn't have a defender on him, just swatted it into the right corner past Vokoun 5:18 into the game.

"I knew going into Christmas it would feel nice to get a goal," Wellwood said. "There's a lot of guys who need to start scoring more and I'm one of them. I get the puck there a lot and they leave me alone. The (coaches) always tell me to take it to the net - and I did this time and it was able to go in."

It was Wellwood's first goal in 12 games.

However, the Panthers knotted the game near the end of the middle period on the power play. Florida captain Olli Jokinen rifled a shot from 57 feet out that went between the arm and body of netminder Vesa Toskala to make it 1-1 with only 19 seconds left in the session.

Toskala, who stopped 29 shots overall, swept aside seven in the third period while Vokoun made 12 of his 29 saves in the third.

"This shows how tight all the teams are and how tough it's going to be fighting for playoff spots," Sundin said. "There's going to be a lot of teams in that battle. "We'll move on, but we did a lot of good things on this trip."