Aston-Reese scores twice to lead Maple Leafs past Blue Jackets on annual Pride night

Zach Aston-Reese scored twice as the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-2 on Tuesday night.

Alexander Kerfoot and Auston Mathews, into an empty net, had the other goals for Toronto (46-21-10). Joseph Woll made 24 saves, while Sam Lafferty added two assists.

Jack Roslovic and Eric Robinson replied for Columbus (24-45-8), which got 46 stops from Jet Greaves in his NHL debut.

The rookie goaltender improved to 4-1-0 this season with the Leafs in his ninth NHL start, and has put up big numbers in the minors in 2022-23.

Ilya Samsonov, who was already trending to be Toronto's starter when the playoffs get going in less than two weeks against Tampa Bay, served as Woll's backup.

WATCH | Aston-Reese scores twice, Maple Leafs defeat Blue Jackets:

Toronto opened the scoring five minutes into the first period when Aston-Reese beat Greaves for his ninth.

Battered by a long list of injuries all season and icing a lineup with plenty of fresh faces Tuesday, the Blue Jackets responded off the rush when Roslovic snapped his 11th to make it 1-1.

Kerfoot pushed Toronto ahead 2-1 midway through the second with his ninth after Greaves, who has an .895 save percentage in the AHL this season, made a terrific stop on Nick Abruzzese.

The rookie from Cambridge, Ont., continued to keep his team in it — Toronto led 33-17 on the shot clock through 40 minutes — before Woll denied Liam Foudy on a quality chance late in the period.

Aston-Reese gave the home side some breathing room nine minutes into the third when he tipped his career-high 10th of the campaign past Greaves for a 3-1 lead.

Robinson got Columbus, which sits last in the Eastern Conference by a wide margin, back within one with his 12th on a shot that beat Woll