Laferriere gave Los Angeles a 1-0 lead at 1:57 of the second period. He built up speed off the rush, getting past Maple Leafs defenseman Simon Benoit down the side boards and around the right circle to score on a backhand from the top of the crease.

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Brandon Carlo hadn't dropped the gloves in nearly two years, but he brought back his fighting chops on Saturday. Just over three minutes into the 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings, Carlo found himself trading punches with Jeff Malott, who was playing only his second NHL game.

John Tavares' first of two third-period goals broke a tie and the Toronto Maple Leafs rallied with three goals in the third for a 3-1 come-from-behind win over the host Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.

Toronto is in first place in the Atlantic Division, three points ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers. The Maple Leafs have played one more game.

William Nylander will come into tonight's game on a heater, and our Maple Leafs vs. Kings predictions expect that heater to continue.

Tavares — who was in the penalty box when Matthews scored — got the deciding goal on a Leafs power play at 12:04 of the third when he pumped a Matthews rebound past Kuemper. Tavares’ eighth game-winning goal of the season tied him with William Nylander for the Leafs lead.

After a four-point weekend trek through California with road wins over the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks, the Toronto Maple Leafs have carved out a three-point cushion on both the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning atop the Atlantic Division.

Even as his five-on-five struggles continue, Matthews proved he can still summon up something extra when his team needs it.

The Toronto Maple Leafs face off with the LA Kings at the Crypto.com Arena on Saturday. The puck drop is set to take place at 7 p.m. EDT.