PITTSBURGH — A strong start helped the Toronto Maple Leafs knock off the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions.

Tyler Bozak scored two goals, and the Maple Leafs scored three times in the first period in a 4-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night.

“Whenever you can get that kind of a lead in this league, it’s nice, and obviously against a team like (Pittsburgh), that can score a lot of goals, it’s nice to have a little cushion,” Bozak said. “(Pittsburgh) has a great team over there, so it’s nice to come in here and get a win on the road.”

Conner Brown and James van Riemsdyk scored in the first 1:42 of the game, and Bozak also scored in the first period. Mitch Marner had three assists for the Maple Leafs, who’ve won five of their last seven.

Frederik Andersen stopped 33 shots for his 50th win with the Maple Leafs. Andersen has won 11 of his last 15 starts.

Evgeni Malkin scored his ninth goal on the power play and Riley Sheahan tallied his third for Pittsburgh. Sidney Crosby scored his 13th with 2:48 to play, but the Penguins couldn’t manage the equalizer. Crosby has at least one point in 10 of the last 12 games. Pittsburgh had won five of six before Saturday.

Tristan Jarry made 13 saves, but allowed three first-period goals before he was pulled for Casey DeSmith. DeSmith, making his second career appearance, stopped eight shots.

“We just weren’t good enough, and it was the difference in the outcome,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “When you play good teams, you can’t spot them a three-goal lead. I’m not sure I understand why, but that’s something as a group we have to solve if we want to become the team we want to be.”

Brown got Toronto started early when he took a feed from Morgan Rielly in the slot and whipped a wrist shot behind Jarry.

Van Riemsdyk struck again 19 seconds later. Marner missed on a wrap-around attempt and van Riemsdyk flipped the rebound over a sprawled Jarry.

Bozak gave the Leafs a 3-0 lead later in the period. Marner put the initial shot on goal from the left boards and Bozak, from the top of the crease, took three whacks at the rebound before converting.