Toronto, Ontario (WGR 550/WBEN) - A critical week of point-grabbing for the Buffalo Sabres started off on the right foot, as the blue and gold played comeback in a 4-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena.
After a scoreless opening period, Toronto found their scoring touch just 71 seconds into the middle frame. Auston Matthews' 31st goal of the season made it 1-0, Maple Leafs, with help from Alexander Kerfoot and Mitch Marner.
Three minutes later, Toronto extended their lead to 2-0 when forward Calle Jarnkrok's wrist shot from the slot snuck underneath the pads of Sabres goalie Craig Anderson.
The Sabres responded before the end of the second period. With about five minutes left in the period, Jack Quinn showed off some impressive hand-eye coordination to record his 13th goal of the season.
The Sabres were responsible for the last 15 combined shots of the second period after falling down 2-0 in the game. Buffalo's 15-0 run in shots included Quinn's goal to get them close heading into the third period.
The momentum the Sabres grabbed in the second period carried over into the final 20 minutes in a big way.
Thanks to a pair of goals from Alex Tuch, and a Dylan Cozens tally sandwiched in-between, the blue and gold went from trailing 2-1 to leading 4-2 in a span of less-than 10 minutes of game time.
Tuch's second goal of the night, a power play tally, got him to the 30-goal mark for the first time in his career.
Toronto played with their net empty for the better part of the final four minutes of play, and cashed in once to give themselves a fighting chance. William Nylander made it a 4-3 contest with 61 seconds left in regulation, though the Maple Leafs could not muster the equalizer.
The Sabres' comeback was complete, as the blue and gold pulled within five points of the idle New York Islanders in the Eastern Conference Wild Card hunt.
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GAME RECAP:
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
TOR: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: 14:58 - Jack Quinn (13) (JJ Peterka, Owen Power)
TOR: 1:11 - Auston Matthews (31) (Alexander Kerfoot, Mitch Marner); 4:13 - Calle Jarnkrok (15) (Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews)
Third Period:
BUF: 3:39 - Alex Tuch (29) (Tage Thompson, Owen Power); 9:39 - Dylan Cozens (26) (Riley Stillman, JJ Peterka); 11:19 - Alex Tuch (30) PPG (Jeff Skinner, Dylan Cozens)
TOR: 18:58 - William Nylander (35) (Auston Matthews)
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 17:21 - Kyle Okposo (High sticking - 2 min.)
TOR: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
TOR: 7:10 - Alexander Kerfoot (Tripping - 2 min.); 12:52 - Mark Giordano (Tripping - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
TOR: 10:07 - William Nylander (High sticking - 2 min.)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Alex Tuch - BUF
2.) Dylan Cozens - BUF
3.) Auston Matthews - TOR
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What's next:
The blue and gold head to the nation's capital to visit the Washington Capitals on Wednesday at Capital One Arena. Faceoff is set for 7 p.m. ET with pregame coverage on WGR with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog starting at 6 p.m. ET.