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Matthews, Kapanen score late, Maple Leafs edge Bruins 2-1

Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (29) and Boston Bruins' Jake DeBrusk (74) compete for the puck during the first period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series in Boston, Friday, April 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

By KYLE HIGHTOWER

AP Sports Writer

BOSTON–Auston Matthews broke a scoreless tie in the third period, Kasperi Kapanen added another goal and the Toronto Maple Leafs hung on the beat the Boston Bruins 2-1 Friday to take a 3-2 lead in their first-round playoff series.

With the goalie pulled for an extra skater, David Krejci got the Bruins on the board with 43.7 seconds left, but Boston couldn’t tie it up.

The Maple Leafs, who have alternated wins and losses in the first five games, now have a chance to close out the series when it shifts back to Toronto for Game 6 on Sunday.

Frederik Andersen had 28 saves for Toronto. Boston’s Tuukka Rask finished with 25.

Boston failed to convert on its three power plays, and Toronto was 0 for 1.

The Maple Leafs’ goals broke up what had been a defense-dominated game for 2 1/2 periods.

Matthews’ fourth goal of the postseason came after he took a feed from Jake Muzzin and found an open corner of the net on a slap shot with 8:27 left. The Bruins challenged Matthews’ goal, arguing that Rask was interfered with, but the goal was upheld after a review.

Kapanen got Toronto’s second goal less than two minutes later, scoring on a wrist shot off assists from Andreas Johnsson and Morgan Rielly. Kapanen was also credited with an assist on Matthews’ goal, along with Muzzin.

Toronto failed to covert on its power play in the third after the Bruins were nabbed for having too many men on the ice.

The Bruins were 2 for 2 on power plays in Game 4, helping propel them to the win. However they couldn’t take advantage of their chances in Game 5.

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