Toronto, Ontario (WGR Sports Radio 550) - A five-point night from captain Rasmus Dahlin, including his first-career hat-trick, helped propel the Buffalo Sabres to a 7-4 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night at Scotiabank Arena.
The Sabres thought they had an early one-goal lead less than four minutes into the game. Tage Thompson was able to sneak the puck into the net from an odd angle. However, Toronto challenged for offside and were successful. The goal was overturned and the score remained 0-0 with 16:25 remaining in the first period.
A blocked shot in front of the Sabres net resulted in Matthew Knies finding a loose puck and sliding it into an empty net. Jake McCabe took the initial shot from the blue line that resulted in Knies' 13th goal of the season for a 1-0 Maple Leafs lead in the first period.
Dahlin was able to answer for Buffalo several minutes later when the defenseman tried to pass the puck to the Maple Leafs crease.
Dahlin's ninth goal of the season tied the game 1-1 midway through the first period. Ryan McLeod and Mattias Samuelsson were credited with the assists. Jason Zucker was skating to the front of the net, with Morgan Reilly trailing. The puck deflected off of Reilly's skate and into the net.
But just over a minute later the Maple Leafs captain was able to connect on a rebound in front of the net to give the team the lead again. Auston Matthews was at the top of the crease when Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen could not hold onto the initial shot. Matthews goal made the score 2-1 in favor of Toronto.
Shortly after, Luukkonen left the ice and went to the Sabres dressing room. Colten Ellis replaced him in net.
The first penalty of the night was called on Steven Lorentz and allowed Buffalo to once again tie the score in the first period.
Josh Doan's 16th goal of the season went off of a Toronto player's stick resulting in the power play score. Dahlin recorded his second point of the game with the lone assist. The goal tied the game 2-2 late in the first.
Late in the first period Thompson was able to record his first point of the game with a goal thanks to a screen in front of the net.
Zach Benson provided the screen in front of Joseph Woll, resulting in Thompson's 28th goal of the season. It gave Buffalo a 3-2 lead with just under two minutes remaining in the opening period.
The Maple Leafs ninth shot of the game yielded the game-tying goal midway through the second period. Matthews initial shot from the slot was blocked, but Bobby McMann was trailing and scored his 17th goal of the season. Matthews and Max Domi assisted on the goal that tied the game 3-3.
Samulesson's second point of the night came after his shot to the front of the Maple Leafs net was deflected by Dahlin to give Buffalo a 4-3 lead late in the middle period.
It is Samulesson's seventh multi-point game of the season, as well as the second consecutive game he has recorded two points. Dahlin's second goal of the game was his 10th of the season. It also marked a milestone for the Sabres' captain.
The Sabres added to their lead just 16 seconds into the third period for a 5-3 lead over Toronto. Alex Tuch had a second-chance oppotunity and swung the puck at the net from a bad angle to score the goal.
Thompson and Samuelsson assisted on Tuch's 19th goal of the year.
Jack Quinn added to Buffalo's lead with his 12th goal of the season. He was able to beat Woll with a wrist shot after Dahlin sent the puck up ice.
It was Dahlin's second assist of the game and fourth point of the game to help increase the lead to 6-3. The defenseman has racked up 13 points in his last 11 games.
Toronto was able to score with just over five minutes remaining in regulation to cut the deficit to two goal. Max Domi scored his eighth goal of the season, making it 6-4 in favor of the Sabres.
Goal Summary
First Period
BUF: 9:29 - Rasmus Dahlin (9) (Ryan McLeod, Mattias Samuelsson). 13:16 - Josh Doan (16) PPG (Rasmus Dahlin). 18:05 - Tage Thompson (28) (unassisted)
TOR: 7:44 - Matthew Knies (13) (John Tavares, Matias Maccelli). 10:49 - Auston Matthews (26) (Max Domi, Oliver Ekman-Larsson)
Second Period
BUF: 18:15 - Rasmus Dahlin (10) (Mattias Samuelsson, Peyton Krebs)
TOR: 11:17 - Bobby McMann (17) (Auston Matthews, Max Domi)
Third Period
BUF: 0:16 - Alex Tuch (19) (Tage Thompson, Mattias Samuelsson). 11:33 - Jack Quinn (12) (Rasmus Dahlin)
TOR: 14:59 - Max Domi (8) (Auston Matthews, Bobby McMann)
BlueStar Home Services Three Stars of the Game
1. Rasmus Dahlin - BUF
2. Tage Thompson - BUF
3. Mattias Samuelsson - BUF
What's Next
The Sabres return home following the road trip with a Thursday night meeting against the Los Angeles Kings. The game is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. puck drop on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sportsradio 550. Pregame coverage with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog starts our coverage at 6:00 p.m.