Aston-Reese scores twice to lead Maple Leafs past Blue Jackets on annual Pride night | CBC Sports

Zach Aston-Reese scored twice as the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-2 on Tuesday night.

Alexander Kerfoot and Auston Mathews, into an empty net, had the other goals for Toronto (46-21-10). Joseph Woll made 24 saves, while Sam Lafferty added two assists.

Jack Roslovic and Eric Robinson replied for Columbus (24-45-8), which got 46 stops from Jet Greaves in his NHL debut.

The rookie goaltender improved to 4-1-0 this season with the Leafs in his ninth NHL start, and has put up big numbers in the minors in 2022-23.

Ilya Samsonov, who was already trending to be Toronto’s starter when the playoffs get going in less than two weeks against Tampa Bay, served as Woll’s backup.

Toronto opened the scoring five minutes into the first period when Aston-Reese beat Greaves for his ninth.

Battered by a long list of injuries all season and icing a lineup with plenty of fresh faces Tuesday, the Blue Jackets responded off the rush when Roslovic snapped his 11th to make it 1-1.

Kerfoot pushed Toronto ahead 2-1 midway through the second with his ninth after Greaves, who has an .895 save percentage in the AHL this season, made a terrific stop on Nick Abruzzese.

The rookie from Cambridge, Ont., continued to keep his team in it — Toronto led 33-17 on the shot clock through 40 minutes — before Woll denied Liam Foudy on a quality chance late in the period.

Aston-Reese gave the home side some breathing room nine minutes into the third when he tipped his career-high 10th of the campaign past Greaves for a 3-1 lead.

Robinson got Columbus, which sits last in the Eastern Conference by a wide margin, back within one with his 12th on a shot that beat Woll upstairs from a tight angle, but Matthews iced it into an empty net with his 38th after some nervy moments at the other end.

Leafs’ Pride night

The Leafs hosted their annual Pride night, but as in years past did not wear themed warm-up jerseys.

Samsonov, who is Russian, didn’t add the sticker to the back of his mask.

A small group of NHLers have declined to wear Pride warm-up jerseys this season, citing religious or safety reasons. Some teams have altered or cancelled plans surrounding similar events.

“The belief within the organization has always been there in terms of including people,” Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly, who has marched in Toronto’s Pride parade, said before the game. “Whether you wear jerseys or not, I believe actions speak louder than words.

“And especially speak louder than attire.”