COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Mike Babcock deflected attention from himself after his first victory as Toronto's coach, preferring to focus on how his players are improving.
Leo Komarov scored two late goals and the Maple Leafs beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-3 on Friday night to improve to 1-2-1 under Babcock.
"All in all, we had a good night," Babcock said. "I thought we scored some good goals. Full marks to the guys for the win. I think it's a positive for them and they got points two nights in a row, which is a long way from where we started. We just need to keep getting better."
Joffrey Lupul had a goal and an assist, and Jake Gardiner, James van Riemsdyk, and Nazem Kadri also scored. Daniel Winnik added three assists, Morgan Rielly had two, and James Reimer finished with 24 saves for the Maple Leafs, who played for the first time six days (see full recap).
Sharks stay unbeaten, top Devils in SO
NEWARK, N.J. -- Martin Jones didn't seem disappointed.
After the San Jose goalie came within 3:38 of his third consecutive shutout, Jones was happy with winning his fourth straight game and helping the unbeaten Sharks get a 2-1 shootout win over the winless New Jersey Devils.
"I don't think there are any secrets," Jones said after making 31 saves. "My focus is to take the game as it comes and just focus on the process, whether it's a 1-1 game or a 5-0 game. The process needs to stay the same," (see full recap).
NHL
Hurricanes send Red Wings to first loss
DETROIT -- It took just 55 seconds for Brock McGinn in his NHL debut Friday night to help turn the Carolina Hurricanes into winners for the first time this season.
The 21-year-old picked up a neutral-zone turnover, broke in on goal and let go a shot that Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard barely deflected with his blocker. McGinn stuck the rebound just inside the post for a memorable finish to his first shift and the Hurricanes handed the Red Wings their first loss of the season, 5-3.
"I took the shot and it kind of bounced right back onto my stick and I shoved it in," he said. "You don't ever expect to come into the league like that, but it was a lot of fun," (see full recap).
Byfuglien scores late as Jets beat Flames
WINNIPEG, Manitoba -- Dustin Byfuglien broke a tie with 1:28 remaining in the Winnipeg Jets' 3-1 victory over the Calgary Flames on Friday night.
Byfuglien forced a turnover, took a pass and went around Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman and beat Karri Ramo with a sharp-angle, low shot.
Calgary coach Bob Hartley challenged the goal to see if Byfuglien was offside, but the goal stood (see full recap).