Buffalo, N.Y. – The Buffalo Sabres could not overcome an early deficit and two goals being overturned in their 6-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday night at KeyBank Center.
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) December 21, 2024
Toronto struck just over a minute and a half into the game for an early one-goal advantage. Bobby McMann converted a one-time chance on a pass by Max Domi for his eighth goal of the season. It provided the Maple Leafs with a 1-0 lead.
The Sabres thought they tied the game 1:05 later. However, a penalty wiped the goal off the score board and put the team down a man for four minutes. Jason Zucker was assessed a double minor for high-sticking. The penalty was called after Alex Tuch had scored, but was eventually negated after review.
Auston Matthews was able to take advantage of the second two minutes of the power play for Toronto, scoring his 11th goal of the season. The power play goal came with 29 seconds remaining in Zucker’s double minor.
Both teams were credited with nine shots on goal in the opening period. Matt Murray stopped all nine Sabres’ shots, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was credited with seven saves.
Nick Robertson added to Toronto’s lead less than two minutes into the second period, beating Luukkonen with a shot from an odd-man rush. However, the Sabres were able to answer back just 29 seconds later. JJ Peterka scored for Buffalo, cutting the deficit to 3-1 in the second.
JJ Peterka, 3-1 #sabrehood #leafsforever pic.twitter.com/2grA7F9A4h
— Buffalo Hockey Moments (@SabresPlays) December 21, 2024
Domi would score two minutes later and end Luukkonen’s night. James Reimer came in goal in relief with Buffalo trailing 4-1. Max Pacioretty added his fifth goal of the season on a tap in. His score midway through the second period made it 5-1 Toronto.
Mattias Samuelsson was able to take advantage of a four-on-four opportunity in the offensive zone and score his second goal of the season. It allowed the Sabres to get back within three goals, 5-2, late in the second period.
Samuelsson, 5-2 #sabrehood #leafsforever pic.twitter.com/L0pHSWi56U
— Buffalo Hockey Moments (@SabresPlays) December 21, 2024
Samuelsson is able to combine with Owen Power to bring the Sabres within a pair of goals with eight minutes remaining in regulation. Power was able to slip down from the blue line and score his fifth goal of the season.
Owen Power crashes the net for a rebound, 5-3 #sabrehood #leafsforever pic.twitter.com/MXH1U2MJiE
— Buffalo Hockey Moments (@SabresPlays) December 21, 2024
Jiri Kulich and Samuelsson were credited with the assists on the goal that made it 5-3 Toronto.
The Sabres thought they were able to get within a goal, 5-4, on what would have been Owen Power’s second straight goal. However, Toronto challenged for goaltender interference and were successful. The goal did not count and the Maple Leafs lead remained 5-3 with 3:26 left in regulation.
An empty net goal by William Nylander would cap the scoring for Toronto and provide the team with a three-goal victory.
Game Summary
Goal Summary
First Period
BUF: NONE
TOR: 1:29 – Bobby McMann (8)(Max Domi, Nick Robertson). 6:05 – Auston Matthews (11) PPG (William Nylander, Mitch Marner)
Second Period
BUF: 2:22 – JJ Peterka (9) (Dylan Cozens, Connor Clifton). 15:56 – Mattias Samulesson (2) (Owen Power, JJ Peterka)
TOR: 1:53 – Nick Robertson (5) (Morgan Rielly, Conor Timmins). 4:27 – Max Domi (3) (Bobby McMann, Mitch Marner). 10:47 – Max Pacioretty (5) (William Nylander, John Tavares)
Third Period
BUF: 11:56 – Owen Power (5) (JJ Peterka, Mattias Samuelsson)
TOR: NONE
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Three Stars of the Game1. Bobby McMann2. Max Domi
3. William Nylander
What’s Next
The Sabres are right back in action, heading to Boston to meet the Bruins at TD Garden. The puck drops at 7:00 p.m. on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network – WGR Sports Radio 550. The Steve Foley Law Pregame Show with Brian Koziol begins out coverage at 6:00 p.m.
