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Leafs top Kings for fifth straight win

James van Riemsdyk, Jonathan Bernier

The Toronto Maple Leafs celebrate their 5-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning after an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014 in Toronto. (AP Photo/Canadian Press, Darren Calabrese)

AP

The Toronto Maple Leafs allowed a 2-0 lead to evaporate, but battled back to edge the L.A. Kings 4-3 in a shootout Sunday.

It’s Toronto’s league-leading 13th home ice win of the season.

The @MapleLeafs now lead the NHL with 13 home wins. Per Elias, the last time they won 13 of their first 20 home games was 2001-02 (14-5-1).

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 15, 2014

Joffrey Lupul was the lone goal scorer in the breakaway competition as the Leafs improved to 9-1-1 since their 9-2 loss on home ice to the Nashville Predators Nov. 18.

Mike Santorelli had a goal and an assist on his 29th birthday and Cody Franson scored with less than a minute remaining in the first period to give the Leafs a 2-0 lead after one period. Toronto improved to 13-0-0 this season when scoring the game’s first goal.

L.A. responded with three unanswered as Justin Williams, Dwight King and Marian Gaborik gave the Kings a 3-2 lead just over a minute into the third period.

James van Riemsdyk tied it at 3-3 before the midway mark of the third to force overtime.

James Reimer 33 saves for his second straight win while Jonathan Quick stopped 28 shots in the loss.

With the loss, the Kings dropped to 1-2-1 on their road trip, which concludes Tuesday in St. Louis.

Follow @dcmahiban