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Filatov gives Blue Jackets improbable shootout victory

Oct 6, 2008 - 12:36 AM TORONTO (Ticker) -- Right wing Nikita Filatov scored the decisive goal in the second round of the shootout to give the Columbus Blue Jackets a 5-4 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday.

Filatov was the only player on either side to connect during the shootout, approaching the goal slowly before drilling a bullet over goaltender Vesa Toskala's shoulder just inside the top right corner. Toronto defenseman Tomas Kaberle misfired on a wrist shot moments later to seal the win.

The Blue Jackets (3-4-0) needed late heroics to even get to overtime, much less come away with a victory. With less than three minutes remaining in the third period, Jakub Voracek and Jason Chimera scored goals within 14 seconds of each other - both during 4-on-4 play - to tie the game at 4-4.

The seventh overall pick of last year's draft, Voracek skated into the slot and drilled a shot in between Toskala's pads to pull the Blue Jackets to within one. Moments later, Rostislav Klesla's backhand attempt deflected off Toskala and Chimera lunged forward to tip in to tie things up.

Toronto had a chance to answer right back at the end of regulation, as left wing Jason Blake got a breakaway with 25 seconds left. However, Columbus goaltender Daniel Lacosta stopped Blake's wrister with a right pad save to preserve the tie.

Toskala made 38 saves for the Maple Leafs, while Lacosta stopped 15 of 16 shots after taking over for starter Fredrik Norrena.

The Maple Leafs (2-5-2) came into the game having lost three straight games in regulation, and haven't won since a 4-3 triumph over the St. Louis Blues on September 29. The Blue Jackets have won two in a row.