National Hockey League
Maple Leafs 3, Flames 2
National Hockey League

Maple Leafs 3, Flames 2

Published Oct. 16, 2011 4:40 a.m. ET

Phil Kessel has five goals in his last two games. He has a simple explanation.

''They're just going in,'' the Toronto forward said. ''I have some great linemates and they gave me the puck and we're just clicking.''

On Saturday, Kessel had two goals and an assist and the Leafs overcame an early two-goal deficit to extend their season-opening winning streak to three games, beating the Calgary Flames 3-2.

Kessel set up Joffrey Lupul's goal at 1:15 of the second, then tied it at 2 with 3:22 left in the period. The former University of Minnesota star added his fifth goal of the season at 41 seconds of the third.

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James Reimer made 30 saves for Toronto.

''To get off to this start, it's huge for us,'' Reimer said. ''Hopefully we can keep it rolling, stay confident and keep improving in our game. And hopefully when it's all said and done we'll have had a pretty good season.''

Curtis Glencross and Scott Hannan scored in the first period for Calgary (1-3-0).

''We feel we made some mistakes and that's a game that we were in pretty good control of and should have found a way to win,'' Flames captain Jarome Iginla said.

The Flames took the lead at 4:18 on Glencross' deflection. Calgary doubled its advantage 1:22 later when Hannan jumped up on a rush and fired a high knuckleball that eluded Reimer.

''He had no chance on those two goals,'' Leafs coach Ron Wilson said.

The Leafs started their comeback early in the second when Kessel found a streaking Lupul, whose shot got by Miikka Kiprusoff's left side.

The Leafs were given an opportunity to tie the game when Olli Jokinen was sent to the box for 4 minutes for high-sticking John-Michael Liles. Toronto's power play, however, couldn't muster much on a night both sides went scoreless with the man advantage.

Kessel's equalizer came after Tyler Bozak broke up a Calgary rush. Carl Gunnarsson picked up the loose puck and fed a long pass to the winger on the right side. Kessel then cut in on goal and went high to score.

Bozak finished the night with two assists.

In the thitd, Kessel threw a pass across the face of the goal that hit a skate and Kiprusoff couldn't get across the prevent the puck from going in.

NOTES: Kiprusoff made 22 saves. ... The crowd was announced at 19,410.

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