James van Riemsdyk scored two goals in three minutes in the second period as the Toronto Maple Leafs snapped a three-game losing skid with a 5-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Roman Polak scored an empty net goal for Toronto in the closing seconds of the game.

Steven Stamkos scored at 15:47 of the third period, but that was the closest the Lightning would come.

Richard Panik scored an unassisted goal against his former team to put Toronto up early in the second period.

Alex Killorn scored a shorthanded goal for the Lightning at 18:50 of the first period to tie the game with the Toronto Maple Leafs after David Clarkson scored his sixth goal of the season at 1:29 to give Toronto an early lead.

The Leafs are looking to break an ugly three-game losing streak.

Expectations in hockey-mad Toronto appear to be taking their toll on the Maple Leafs, whose coach is aware of both the issue of his job security and the tension surrounding his struggling team.

The Leafs went 6-1-1 in their eight games before their skid, during which they've lost twice at home following a four-game winning streak at Air Canada Centre.

Ben Bishop is starting for the Lightning, who lost on Tuesday to the New York Islanders.

Toronto counters with Jonathan Bernier.