{'byline': 'by Paul Hamilton', 'hosts': '', 'byline_sources': 'WGR Sports Radio 550', 'audience_id': '', 'original_station': [{'station': 'wgr550', 'path': 'wgr550/sports/sabres/sabres-leafs-do-battle-one-last-time-this-season'}], 'syndicated_items': [{'station': 'wcmf', 'path': '/wcmf/sports/buffalo-sabres/sabres-leafs-do-battle-one-last-time-this-season'}, {'station': 'thefanrochester', 'path': '/thefanrochester/sports/buffalo-sabres/sabres-leafs-do-battle-one-last-time-this-season'}], 'original_item': {'_index': 'published-content_v44', '_type': '_doc', '_score': None, '_source': {'date': '2026-03-14T16:30:00.000+00:00', 'lead': [{'data': {'title': 'An update on Sabres injuries', 'thumbnail_url': 'https://s2.dmcdn.net/v/aF3Va1fjQBmpGQvk3', 'id': 'xa1xyw4', 'created_time': 1773437285, 'mode': 'vod', 'private_id': 'k4Mod0C8S3TzJDF8No0', 'owner': 'x2yitd8', 'description': "WGR Sabres beat reporter Paul Hamilton provides the latest update on the list of injured players following Thursday's loss to the Capitals", 'channel': 'sport', 'tags': ['wgr', 'buffalo sabres', 'nhl', 'hockey', 'paul hamilton', 'schopp and the bulldog'], 'private': False, 'addPublic': True}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/dailymotion/instances/cmmqmuhcr000p357xrvsvf4jm@published'}], 'slug': 'sabres-leafs-do-battle-one-last-time-this-season', 'tags': ['WGR', 'All Local', 'NHL', 'Buffalo Sabres', 'Toronto Maple Leafs', 'Hockey', 'Alex Tuch'], 'feeds': {'msn': True, 'rss': True, 'postup': True, 'facebook': True, 'newsfeed': True, 'sitemaps': True, 'frequency': True, 'smartNews': True, 'apple-news': False, 'smart-news': True, 'most-popular': True, 'reversechron': True, 'google-news-feed': True}, 'hosts': [], 'adTags': {'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/ad-tags/instances/cmmqjkog9000a01upp4h1wkxr@published'}, 'byline': [{'names': [{'name': 'Paul Hamilton', 'text': 'Paul Hamilton', 'slug': 'paul-hamilton'}], 'sources': [{'text': 'WGR Sports Radio 550'}], 'hosts': [], 'prefix': 'by'}], 'teaser': 'Sabres, Leafs do battle one last time this season', 'authors': ['Paul Hamilton'], 'content': [{'data': {'text': "<strong>Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) -</strong> Following Thursday's loss to the Washington Capitals, the Buffalo Sabres will be looking to wrap up their five-game homestand on a high note against the Toronto Maple Leafs in their final matchup of the year.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmmqjkog9000e01upxd8z36be@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<iframe width="100%" height="165px" frameborder="0" src="https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?&feed-link=https%3A%2F%2Frss.amperwave.net%2Fv2%2Fepisode%2F8034792_2026-03-14-184132&withPlaylist=false&theme=blurred&playerDisplay-logoType=Audacy" allow="clipboard-write"></iframe>', 'isIframe': True, 'componentVariation': 'html-embed', 'fbInstantArticleHtml': '<iframe width="100%" height="165px" frameborder="0" src="https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?&feed-link=https%3A%2F%2Frss.amperwave.net%2Fv2%2Fepisode%2F8034792_2026-03-14-184132&withPlaylist=false&theme=blurred&playerDisplay-logoType=Audacy" allow="clipboard-write"></iframe>'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/html-embed/instances/cmmr4o2by0009357xyh84xasc@published'}, {'data': {'text': "Sabres winger Alex Tuch was forced to miss Thursday's game due to a lower-body ailment that he did not want to further aggravate that game. Head coach Lindy Ruff said Saturday that Tuch appears like he can play against Toronto.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmmqmwzyx0013357x40skmxr7@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'However, Ruff said defenseman Mattias Samuelsson was doubtful to play, while Tanner Pearson would not play Saturday.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmmqjw402002e357xaigz3ag7@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'In Friday’s practice, Rasmus Dahlin was paired with Zach Metsa.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmmqu1m2a001a357xvjf0jh2i@published'}, {'data': {'text': "With so many defensemen on the roster, it seemed like Metsa would be sent back down to continue as the Rochester Americans' captain. That hasn’t happened, and Ruff says Metsa might actually be one of the players he calls on that gives the team the best chance to win.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmmqjw43r002f357xjmj8q2ug@published'}, {'data': {'text': ""He’s played incredibly well," said Ruff after Saturday's morning skate. "He exceeded my expectations. His numbers say that, breaks the puck out really well, makes very few mistakes when it comes to defending. He’s earned his right to be here, and even going into tonight, with a D-man doubtful, it’s just another option we can use."", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmmqjw458002g357x44d6ke6k@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'The Leafs are in the same place the Sabres were last year when nobody went to Tage Thompson’s aid when he was laying on the ice thanks to a Stefan Noesen cheap shot.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmmqjw46l002h357xwrmi45jo@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'In a matchup with the Ducks on Thursday, Anaheim captain Radko Gudas put a cheap shot knee-on-knee hit on Leafs captain Auston Matthews. Not one teammate went after Gudas, and fans and media in Toronto have been crucifying this team.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmmvg2vxl0009357w9gas8dy7@published'}, {'data': {'text': "As it turns out, the hit was enough to end Matthews' season due to a Grade 3 MCL tear.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmmvg479i000d357wkfl7vc75@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Ruff knows they may see a different Toronto team in Buffalo on Saturday.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmmvg4t0e000h357wgxb4f0b1@published'}, {'data': {'text': '"Automatically we’re looking at a group that probably is going to be as hungry as they can with what happened, and we’ll be ready for that, for sure," Ruff said.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmmqjw485002i357xbbj84l5n@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Buffalo is 19-11-3 at home this season, but have only won five of their last nine at the arena downtown. The Sabres had their eight-game winning streak broken on Thursday, losing to the Washington Capitals, 2-1.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmmqjw49k002j357xmhgdc9nq@published'}, {'data': {'text': "Speaking of streaks, Alex Lyon is in net for Buffalo on Saturday, and he's currently riding four-straight wins. He’s 15-2-0 since Dec. 8, sporting a 2.24 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage.", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmmqjw4b7002k357xsyq1xe3l@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Colten Ellis is nursing an injury, meaning he won’t be the backup on Saturday.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmmvg7aqe000l357wy6ln8rv7@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Look for Joseph Woll in net for the Maple Leafs on Saturday. He’s 14-11-4 this season with a 3.13 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmmvgbc2s0016357wjrafh837@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Since Jan. 13, Toronto has only won 5-of-21 games. Their points percentage is .508, with only the New York Rangers worse in the Eastern Conference.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmmqjw4cs002l357x30vkbw8r@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Buffalo beat the Leafs earlier this year at home, 5-3, and has split the two games in Toronto, winning 7-4 and losing 4-3.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmmqjw4e5002m357xtyli2hk6@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Rasmus Dahlin has seven points in those three games against Toronto. Tage Thompson and Samuelsson have six.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmmvg960o000p357wtote2pew@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Every season, more-and-more Leafs fans get tickets to games in Buffalo. For the last few years, the arena has been around 80% Toronto fans.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmmqjw4g0002n357x6upa7ufr@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Dahlin is among those hoping to see a big change on Saturday.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmmvgac8u0012357ws0arxb8h@published'}, {'data': {'text': '"I was hoping Toronto fans would sell their tickets back to Buffalo fans," Ruff added with a wry smile.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmmqjw4hk002o357x36ct3kng@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Join Brian Koziol and myself for pregame coverage on WGR starting at 6 p.m. when you’ll hear from Ruff, Tuch, Conor Timmins and Beck Malenstyn.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 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