TORONTO -- David Clarkson was one of several Toronto Maple Leafs who unburdened themselves on Tuesday. Clarkson finally scored his first goal as a Maple Leaf as Toronto beat the New York Islanders 5-2 for its second win in a row. The 29-year-old signed with the Maple Leafs as an unrestricted free agent in the off-season and was unable to score in his first 11 games with the team. "The biggest thing is that we won the game tonight," said Clarkson. "Ive tried to preach that the whole time. The chances were there, but Im here to win. "It does feel good, I guess, to get some people off my back a little bit," he joked. Phil Kessel also broke out of a mini slump, scoring a pair of goals. They were Kessels first goals in five games. He had just one point in his past seven. "Hes a highly talented player and doesnt need many chances to score goals," said linemate James van Riemsdyk. "Two sweet chances and in the back of the net. "Sometimes it comes in streaks -- its a long year. Hes got 12 goals in 21 games. Thats pretty good." Meanwhile, Trevor Smith had his first multipoint effort of his NHL career, scoring the first goal of the game for the Maple Leafs just 22 seconds in and adding a pair of assists for a three-point night. He has five points in three games since being recalled from the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League and six points in 12 games overall this season. "Im just trying to fill some spots for now," Smith said. "Its always tough when you have injuries, but injuries happen. Its part of the game. "You just got to come in, try to do the best you can, play confidently and work with what you got. The guys have been really great welcoming me and making it easy for me to play my game." And Joffrey Lupul had three assists to bust out of his recent slide. After starting the season with 10 points in his first nine games, he had just two points in his next nine before his trio of helpers Tuesday. Mason Raymond also scored for the Maple Leafs (13-7-1) and Jonathan Bernier made 36 saves for the win. Casey Cizikas and Frans Nielsen replied for New York (8-11-3). Kevin Poulin stopped 19 shots in the loss. After Smith opened the scoring, the game remained 1-0 until midway through the second period. With Cal Clutterbuck off for tripping, Kessel took a pass from Lupul, curled inside the Islanders blue-line and snapped a shot from inside the right circle past Poulins blocker hand. It was Kessels team-leading 11th goal of the season. Toronto kept New York off the board until there were 11 seconds left in the second period. Cizikas got a breakaway behind the defence, deked to his left and slid the puck through Berniers legs to cut the Leafs lead to 2-1. Toronto regained its two-goal lead 3:39 into the third period. A mix-up at the New York blue-line by the Islanders defence gave the Leafs short a 2-on-0 break. Nikolai Kulemin was stopped by Poulin, but Raymond was able to backhand the rebound in for his eighth goal of the season. Clarkson put the game away at 12:52, snapping a shot top corner by Poulins glove hand. "That was a helluva shot," Van Riemsdyk said. "Hes been contributing for us in a lot of different ways out there and its nice to see him get rewarded with a goal. Im sure hes pretty happy about that, too." Nielsen cut the lead to 4-2 at 15:14, but Kessel snapped home his second of the game -- 12th of the season -- less than two minutes later on a 2-on-1 break with Van Riemsdyk to make it 5-2. Notes: Nazem Kadri sat out the third and final game of his three-game suspension...Announced attendance was 19,446. Bobby Doerr Red Sox Jersey .com) - Jenny Boucek is the new head coach of the Seattle Storm. Dwight Evans Red Sox Jersey .C. -- Theyll remember the OT from the first Syracuse-Duke game -- and the Ts that decided Round 2. https://www.cheapredsox.com/181z-steven-...ey-red-sox.html. He reps the 4-1-6The insecurity of Canadian basketball fans is not what it once was with the home grown talent making its way to the big leagues, but it is still nice to see the local kids remembering where they come from once they make their way south. John Smoltz Red Sox Jersey . -- Kevin Harvick pulled away on a restart with 47 laps to go and ended Chase Elliotts two-race winning streak in NASCARs Nationwide Series with a dominating victory early Saturday at Richmond International Raceway. Brian Johnson Jersey . Consider it received. Attacking on offence early and often, the Penguins topped the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1 on Saturday night as Jussi Jokinen scored the go-ahead goal in the third period to help give Pittsburgh a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference playoff series.Denver, CO (SportsNetwork.com) - Arron Afflalo led seven Denver players in double figures with 22 points in a 122-97 rout of the Phoenix Suns in the back end of a home-and-home set. Ty Lawson contributed 11 points and 10 assists, while J.J. Hickson came off the bench for 10 points and 11 rebounds. Timofey Mozgov had 13 points for the Nuggets, who have won six of their last seven games. Eric Bledsoe posted 16 points for the Suns, who shot only 38.8 percent from the floor and failed to build on a 120-112 home win over the Nuggets on Wednesday. Phoenix had beaten the Nuggets five straight times, but on Friday Denver gained the upperhand quickly and led wire-to-wire. Lawsons layup finished a 9-0 run for a 27-15 difference with 11:21 remaining in the first quarter.dddddddddddd. It was 33-22 after 12 minutes, and the margin reached 20 at 52-32 midway through the second on a pair of Kenneth Faried free throws. Denver led 66-47 at intermission and was in front as many as 31 in the third. The difference didnt dip under 21 in the fourth. Game Notes Isaiah Thomas, who has made 48 consecutive free throws dating back to the Golden State game on Nov. 9, sat out for Phoenix due to a bruised ankle ... Gerald Green had 12 points, while P.J. Tucker, T.J. Warren and Archie Goodwin each scored 11 for Phoenix ... Wilson Chandler, Faried and Danilo Gallinari all scored 11 for the Nuggets, who went 32-of-36 at the charity stripe. ' ' '