Leo Komarov tried. So did Cody Franson. So did Mark Fraser.

All had some success as they attempted to slow the freight train that is Rick Nash, a player theoretically even more at ease in Manhattan now that so many of his former Blue Jacket teammates have joined him.

But Nash wouldn’t be stopped, not totally, scoring two goals for the New York Rangers on Monday night as that club desperately tries to scratch and claw its way into the Stanley Cup playoffs after being a conference finalist last spring.

Still, the Rangers lost for the first time in regulation since Marian Gaborik left town, dropping a 4-3 decision to the Maple Leafs, and there was a good reason why it turned out that way.

The Leafs may have struggled to contain Nash.

But the Blueshirts had no answer whatsoever for Toronto’s top-line of Tyler Bozak between Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk.

That unit delivered three goals and six scoring points, delivering the type of offensive performance that despite the overall success of the team, hasn’t been a consistent element for Randy Carlyle’s group this season.

“I thought our line had more chances tonight because we had more in-zone time,” said Bozak. “We weren’t just trying to score off the rush. When we do try to do everything off the rush, we might turn it over and miss the net, and then we’re tired on defence and get hemmed in.

“Tonight was more like the way we want to do it.”

Van Riemsdyk continued to emerge from a slump with his 16th goal, while Kessel broke out of a nine-game goal-less period with a pair of goals, including the game-winner after New York had fought back from a 3-1 deficit.

It was the 12th win this season in a one-goal game (excluding shootouts) for the Leafs. Only Chicago has more.

“In tonight’s hockey game, specifically in the last five or six minutes, we defended as well as we’ve defended and played in a tense situation with a one-goal lead,” said Carlyle. “We did a lot of things right. We moved the puck along the sidewalls, we created some offensive zone time. We didn’t turn the puck over.”

Bozak made a big contribution to sealing the win by beating Rangers centre Derek Stepan on three straight draws to the left of James Reimer after Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist had been yanked for an extra attacker.

“(Stepan) is good on the draw, but I always do better against right-handed guys on that side of ice,” said Bozak. “I can just use my tie-up move. So I was lucky all three were on that side.”

The two teams go at it again Wednesday in New York, a game that looms as almost a must-win contest for the Rangers as they try to fight off the Islanders, Devils and Jets for a playoff berth.

Komarov got the assignment for much of the night to check, if not out-and-out shadow, the much bigger Nash, and for the most part, the Finn did a good job in his pesky way.

“I’m used to playing against good players at the world championships,” said Komarov. “It’s an important job until you (expletive) up and look like an idiot.”

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

Komarov compared Nash to Jaromir Jagr, whom he played against in the KHL.

“They just put their big ass out and protect the puck,” he said. “It’s hard to get the puck from (Nash).”

The first-year Leafs did a good job for the most part, and when Nash scored, Komarov was one the bench. On his first goal, the former Columbus captain drove hard down the left wing around Franson, and on his second score, he did the same on the other side of the rink to Fraser.

“He’s a strong man, and he’s big and rangy,” said Franson of Nash. “Once he gets his speed up he’s tough to stop. There’s only so much you can do without taking a penalty on him.”

This is the first year for Nash in New York, and while he has 17 goals, it’s become very clear this isn’t the same Ranger team that blocked shots and fought for every inch of ice before losing to New Jersey in the Eastern Conference final last season.

Brad Richards, drawing the second-highest salary in the NHL this season, was again nearly invisible as his miserable season continues. The defensive pairing of Dan Girardi and Michael del Zotto was a combined minus-5, and John Tortorella’s team just doesn’t seem to have the same ability to suffocate opponents this season.

In fact, the Leafs look a lot like the Rangers used to look. They’d sure be thrilled to get the same results this spring.

MORE ON THESTAR.COM

Leafs begin crucial two-game series with New York Rangers

Leafs edge Devils, James Reimer rock solid

Photos: Leafs vs. Rangers

Read more about: