Maple Leafs Give Away Two Goal Lead to Sabres, Drop 4-3

The Leafs were hosting the Buffalo Sabres on Monday night at the Scotiabank Arena, attempting to put up their 41st win of the NHL regular season. Unfortunately they fell short after relinquishing a two goal lead to drop their record to 40-18-8. Toronto had previously beat Buffalo by a combined 11-5 score line in the teams’ two prior meetings, which included a 6-3 victory on Feb. 21.

Toronto are now 6-4-0 in their last ten games and have been looking a little shaky after an extremely solid season thus far. The team will be looking to string a few wins together as we get to the business end of the regular season and jostle for playoff positions.

Auston Matthews had a goal and two assists, while William Nylander and Calle Jarnkrok each had a goal to make up Toronto’s scoring. The Sabres’ Alex Tuch starred with two goals in his return from injury and Jack Quinn and Dylan Cozens also scored for Buffalo to seal the win. 

Scoring Summary

Matthews gave Toronto a 1-0 lead at 1:11 of the second period when a loose puck deflected off the skate of Alexander Kerfoot and Matthews batted it past Sabres Goalie Craig Anderson.

Calle Jarnkrok made it 2-0 shortly after when his shot from the high slot was deflected in off Dahlin’s right leg. The momentum changed from then on as Jack Quinn cut the lead to 2-1 at 14:58, as he pushed his own rebound in from the edge of the crease. 

Tuch then tied it 2-2 at 3:39 of the third period with a one-timer from Tage Thompson, followed by a Cozens’ rebounder which put the Sabres one ahead at 3-2. Tuch then put the exclamation point on the game with another one-timer during a power-play to send the Sabres up 4-2.

Nylander cut it to 4-3 at 18:58 in the third but it wasn’t enough in the end as Buffalo took the game 4-3.

The Leafs will be playing the Colorado Avalanche next on Wednesday night at the Scotiabank Arena. The Avs are currently 37-22-6 on the season and are on a two game winning streak. Both teams will be looking to win-out as much of the rest of the season as possible to get the best playoff seed.

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