The Buffalo Sabres extended their winless streak to a disheartening 10 games (0-7-3) on Sunday night, falling 5-3 to the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Despite a spirited start and a strong performance from Jack Quinn in his return to the lineup, the Sabres’ defensive lapses and lack of third-period offense sealed their fate.
John Tavares stole the show with a hat trick, including two pivotal second-period goals during a three-score outburst by the Maple Leafs in just over two and a half minutes.
A Promising Start Fizzles Out
The Sabres began the game with energy and urgency, striking twice in the first three minutes. Jack Quinn, making his first appearance after five consecutive healthy scratches, wasted no time making an impact. Just 1:03 into the game, he capitalized on a power play opportunity, snapping the Sabres’ recent 0-for-11 drought with a precise wrist shot from the left faceoff dot. The goal, his first since October 26, gave Buffalo an early edge.
Moments later, Alex Tuch doubled the lead. Rookie Zach Benson set up the play with a poised stretch pass, finding Tuch in stride. The forward stormed into the Maple Leafs zone and unleashed a quick shot from the high slot that beat rookie goaltender Dennis Hildeby, who made just his third NHL start.
Buffalo’s defense, buoyed by Devon Levi’s sharp goaltending, held Toronto at bay for much of the first period. Levi, freshly recalled from Rochester, made key stops, including a close-range effort from Max Pacioretty during a Maple Leafs power play. However, Toronto broke through late in the period when Nick Robertson’s creative between-the-legs pass set up Max Domi for his first goal of the season, cutting Buffalo’s lead to 2-1.
The Second Period Collapse
Quinn continued his impressive return by restoring Buffalo’s two-goal advantage midway through the second period. After a strong sequence from JJ Peterka, Quinn found space in the slot and fired home his second goal of the night to make it 3-1. The Sabres appeared to have momentum—but it unraveled quickly.
The Maple Leafs’ response was swift and devastating. Nick Robertson ignited the comeback with a perfectly placed one-timer off a Bobby McMann feed, cutting the deficit to 3-2. Minutes later, a slashing penalty against Henri Jokiharju gave Toronto a power play, and they wasted no time capitalizing. Auston Matthews’ blistering slapshot deflected off Tavares, tying the game at 3-3.
Tavares wasn’t finished. Just over a minute later, he struck again, finding the top corner with a wicked wrister after an extended shift in Buffalo’s defensive zone. A 3-1 Sabres lead had evaporated into a 4-3 deficit in the blink of an eye.
A One-Sided Third Period
Toronto smothered Buffalo in the third period, dictating play and firing the first 12 shots on goal. Levi stood tall, stopping 18 shots in the final frame to keep the game within reach. However, the Sabres’ offense faltered, managing just six shots in the period and failing to generate any sustained pressure.
Tavares capped his dominant performance with an empty-net goal in the final minutes, completing his hat trick and sealing Toronto’s 5-3 victory.
Devon Levi Shines Despite Loss
Despite the loss, Levi’s performance in goal was a silver lining for Buffalo. The 22-year-old stopped 36 shots in his first NHL start since mid-November, showcasing poise and athleticism. His timely saves in the first and third periods kept the Sabres competitive, but the team’s inability to defend high-danger chances in the second period proved costly.
Levi had been stellar in Rochester, riding a six-game winning streak with a .938 save percentage before his call-up. His performance offers hope for a team searching for stability in the crease.
Familiar Patterns, Familiar Results
The Sabres’ struggles to protect leads continue to haunt them. For the seventh time in 10 games, Buffalo scored first but failed to secure a win. The team has blown multiple-goal leads in three of those losses, a trend emblematic of their recent woes.
Buffalo was once again without captain Rasmus Dahlin, who missed his sixth straight game due to back spasms. Without their defensive anchor, the Sabres have struggled to manage puck possession and neutralize opposing top lines.
Watch: Condensed Game Highlights
What’s Next?
The Sabres (11-16- 4) have one last chance to avoid sinking to the bottom of the Eastern Conference when they face the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday. Another loss—whether in regulation, overtime, or a shootout—would drop them into last place.
With mounting pressure and frustration, Buffalo will need to rediscover their early-season form and tighten up defensively to snap their double-digit winless streak. Puck drop at the Bell Centre is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, with coverage on MSG beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Final Thoughts
This latest loss encapsulates the Sabres’ struggles: a strong start, glimpses of brilliance, and an inability to finish games. While Jack Quinn’s two-goal performance and Devon Levi’s solid play in net provided reasons for optimism, the team’s inability to hold leads and defend effectively leaves them facing a critical juncture in their season. As they head to Montreal, the Sabres must find a way to turn promise into production—or risk slipping further into the depths of the standings.