The Maple Leafs offense exploded the Penguins way

Ekman-Larsson extended his point streak to a career-best nine games, tied for second-longest by a defenseman in team history. He has three goals and seven assists during the streak.

The defenseman left the game early with an upper-body injury, but told teammates he would be fine.

Toronto won in regulation for the first time since Nov. 5. It improved to 3-6-2 in its last 11 games.

Austin Matthews, Nicholas Rowe and Bobby McMann also had a goal and an assist for the Maple Leafs. Morgan Reilly had two assists to become the third defensive player in team history with 100 multi-point games.

Toronto goaltender Dennis Heldby, making his first start since Nov. 13, stopped 32 shots.

Pittsburgh star Sidney Crosby scored his 641st career goal, passing Dave Andrychuk for 15th on the NHL list. He also had an assist and passed Mario Lemieux for the most home runs in team history (941) and sole possession of the seventh most home runs in league history.

Ben Kindel added the power play goal for Pittsburgh, which is 4-5-3 in its last 12 games after an 8-2-2 start.

Arturs Silovs allowed four goals on 10 shots for Pittsburgh before he was replaced by Tristan Jarry in the second round. Slovis, who has been hit in consecutive starts, has allowed eight goals on the last 20 shots he has faced.

Jerry made 10 saves for the Penguins.

Ekman-Larsson and Easton Cowan scored on two of Toronto’s first three shots to give the Maple Leafs a 2-1 lead at one period.

McMann and Dakota Joshua scored in the first five minutes of the second period to help Toronto pull away. McMann tipped Reilly’s point shot past Slough, and Joshua scored on a quick rebound from the top of the crease.

Maple Leafs: Continue a six-game road trip Tuesday at Florida.

Penguins: Begin a three-game road trip Monday at Philadelphia.