Bluger scores and assists as Toronto beats Smits' New York Rangers in NHL

Latvian forward Teodors Bluger scored a goal and set up another on Thursday in the National Hockey League (NHL), North America's top professional ice hockey league, as the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the New York Rangers 5-4 (2-1, 2-2, 1-1) at home. Latvian defenseman Alberts Smits also played in the game, for the Rangers. It was Toronto's third straight win.

Bluger made it 2-1 in the 11th minute of the first period. In the eighth minute of the second period he assisted Brandon Duhaime's goal that tied the game at 3-3. These were the Latvian forward's first points for the Maple Leafs.

Troy Stecher scored the winner 28 seconds before the end of regulation. Easton Cowan and Kirill Marchenko also scored for the hosts. For the Rangers, Mika Zibanejad, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Tye Kartye and Alexis Lafreniere found the net, while Adam Fox recorded four assists.

The Latvians' numbers

Bluger played 15 minutes 18 seconds, including 56 seconds shorthanded. He took one shot on goal, blocked one shot, intercepted one pass and lost the puck twice. His plus-minus was +1.

Smits played 12 minutes 27 seconds, 33 seconds of it shorthanded. The defenseman delivered two hits, and finished the game with a plus-minus of -1.

Standings

In the NHL's Eastern Conference, the Maple Leafs are sixth after 12 games with 14 points, while the Rangers are third with 15 points. Both teams play their next games in the early hours of Sunday, Latvian time: Toronto visit the Edmonton Oilers, and New York face the Ottawa Senators.