Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Sabres could not overcome an early deficit and two goals being overturned in a 6-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday night at KeyBank Center.
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.
The Sabres thought they tied the game just 1:05 later. However, a penalty wiped the goal off the scoreboard, 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 power play time for Toronto, scoring his 11th goal of the season. The power play goal came with 29 seconds remaining in Zucker's double minor infraction.
Both teams were credited with nine shots on goal in the opening period. Matt Murray stopped all nine Sabres' shots for Toronto, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was credited with seven saves for Buffalo.
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 with a goal from winger JJ Peterka, cutting the deficit to 3-1.
Domi scored two minutes later, and also put an end to Luukkonen's night in the process. James Reimer was called upon to come in the net in relief with Buffalo trailing 4-1.
Max Pacioretty added his fifth goal of the season on a tap in play. His score midway through the second period made it 5-1, Toronto.
Mattias Samuelsson was able to take advantage of a 4-on-4 opportunity in the offensive zone, and scored his second goal of the season. It allowed the Sabres to get back to within three goals, 5-2, late in the second period.
Samuelsson was then able to combine with Owen Power to bring the Sabres to 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.
Jiri Kulich and Samuelsson were credited with the assists on the goal.
The Sabres thought they were able to get within a goal, 5-4, on, what would have been, Owen Power's second goal of the night. However, Toronto challenged the goal 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 capped the evening of scoring for Toronto, helping the Maple Leafs secure a three-goal victory.
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SCORING RECAP
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 Samuelsson (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: 19:40 - William Nylander (21) ENG (John Tavares, Chris Tanev)
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Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Bobby McMann - TOR
2.) Max Domi - TOR
3.) William Nylander - TOR
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What's next:
The Sabres are right back in action on Saturday night, heading to Boston to meet the Bruins at TD Garden. The puck drops at 7 p.m. EST 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 p.m. EST.