Kubina plays hero in Leafs' sweep of Flyers

For at least one more night, Toronto Maple Leafs interim general manager Cliff Fletcher will be glad defenceman Pavel Kubina didn't waive his no-trade clause.

Kubina notched his second game-winning goal in as many nights, scoring a power-play goal 69 seconds into the third period Wednesday night to cement a 3-2 Toronto win over the hometown Philadephia Flyers.

On Tuesday, Kubina beat Flyers goalie Martin Biron with 56 seconds remaining in overtime to cap a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory in Toronto.

The Leafs, who lost captain Mats Sundin to a strained groin in the first period, moved to within five points of the Flyers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the NHL's Eastern Conference.

"Hopefully it will be the start of a slide for them and the beginning of a roll for us," said Toronto defenceman Ian White, who opened the scoring in the first period. "So with a little help we'll pass them."

The win marked the first time in 12 chances this season Toronto has won back-to-back games.

While the Leafs managed to gain ground on Philadelphia, Washington and Florida — two teams Toronto must also leapfrog to make the playoffs — were also victorious on Wednesday. The Capitals edged Calgary 3-2 while the Panthers doubled the New York Islanders 4-2.

The Buffalo Sabres, who entered Wednesday's action four points behind the Flyers, remain in ninth place in the East despite a 7-3 loss to the Sidney Crosby-less Pittsburgh Penguins.

Kubina made headlines last month when he reportedly flip-flopped on his decision to not waive his no-trade clause. After the NHL's Feb. 26 trade deadline had passed, Fletcher said a Leafs player had changed his mind and nixed a deal to San Jose.

But Kubina, who is making $5 million US this season, told reporters it was a misunderstanding.

All that mattered Wednesday was Kubina's ninth goal of the campaign, a blast from the top of the faceoff circle through a screened Biron, that helped keep Toronto mathematically in the playoff race.

"We just have to get him out there more," Leafs coach Paul Maurice said of Kubina. "It's a confidence issue and he's feeling good with that puck right now. He's getting it hard off his stick and he's played well."

With four teams standing in their way, it's believed the Maple Leafs will have to win nine of their remaining 10 games to have a chance at the post-season.

A formidable challenge, indeed, that would be even more daunting if Sundin was out of the lineup for any period of time. The big centre carried a nine-game points streak (eight goals, eight assists) into Wednesday's contest and was 12th in NHL scoring with 75 points.

But Sundin didn't join his teammates on the ice to start the second period with Toronto leading 2-1. The injury is not believed to be serious and he is expected to play in Saturday's home game versus Buffalo (CBC, 7 p.m. ET).

"He's the leader of our club, there's no question, but everyone stepped up when he was out and got the job done," White said.

Flyers forward Mike Knuble erased that one-goal advantage with a power-play marker midway through the period.

White fooled Biron from long range at 3:55 of the first period, the first time in eight games the Leafs opened the scoring. It was also White's first goal since Jan. 15 against Carolina, a span of 25 games.

The lead was short-lived as Jeff Carter took advantage of a Toronto turnover and drew Philadelphia even with his eighth goal in his past nine games.

While Philadelphia fans haven't deserted them, the Flyers have given them little reason to cheer this season. They dropped to 16-14-6 at home and the diehards booed them off the ice in the final minute.

Buffalo, Washington and Florida are also chasing Philadelphia and are in the hunt for that final playoff spot.

"We're just making this group more crowded all the time," Flyers coach John Stevens said. "It's time for us to start taking care of ourselves."

Leafs netminder Vesa Toskala, making his 23rd consecutive start, stopped 18 of 20 shots.

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Kubina plays hero in Leafs' sweep of Flyers

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