Sabres Fall to Maple Leafs, 6-3: Winless Streak Hits 12 Games

The Buffalo Sabres’ struggles at KeyBank Center continued Friday night, as the Toronto Maple Leafs capitalized on a disjointed defensive performance and controversial officiating to secure a 6-3 victory. Buffalo’s winless streak now stands at 12 games (0-9-3), a stretch that has magnified the team’s shortcomings in both execution and resilience.

The loss came with heartbreak for the Sabres faithful, who witnessed two Buffalo goals overturned on coach’s challenges, including a pivotal tally in the dying moments of regulation.

Missed Opportunities and Defensive Missteps

Buffalo’s undoing began early when Dennis Gilbert’s pursuit of a hit in the offensive zone left Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen exposed to a 3-on-1 rush. Bobby McMann’s finish gave Toronto a 1-0 lead just 89 seconds into the game, setting the tone for a night that saw the Sabres chasing the Maple Leafs on both the ice and the scoreboard.

The first period also featured the first of two disallowed goals for Buffalo. Alex Tuch appeared to tie the game at 1-1, but a delayed high-sticking call on Jason Zucker nullified the score. To make matters worse, Auston Matthews doubled the Maple Leafs’ lead on the ensuing power play.

The Sabres managed several quality chances in the period, outshooting Toronto 9-7, but struggled to find the finishing touch against Matt Murray, who looked sharp in his first NHL start since April 2023.

Second Period Struggles

Toronto’s Nick Robertson extended the lead to 3-0 early in the second, but JJ Peterka quickly responded with his ninth goal of the season, snapping a seven-game drought and offering the Sabres a glimmer of hope. However, Max Domi and Max Pacioretty each scored within the period, with Pacioretty’s tap-in on William Nylander’s feed capping a dominant frame for the Leafs.

Mattias Samuelsson’s second-period goal, a sharp wrist shot to the top corner, brought the score to 5-2 heading into the third. While Samuelsson and Peterka played inspired hockey, their efforts were overshadowed by a porous defensive structure that allowed Toronto to control the pace and high-danger opportunities.

Luukkonen was pulled after allowing four goals on 12 shots, with James Reimer stepping in to make 14 saves in relief.

Third Period Controversy

Owen Power provided life in the third with a scrappy goal that narrowed the deficit to 5-3. The Sabres appeared to have closed the gap further when Power beat Murray with a blistering point shot, but Toronto’s successful goaltender interference challenge overturned the goal. Sam Lafferty’s subtle contact with Murray’s stick proved enough to deny Buffalo the momentum they desperately needed.

Nylander iced the game with an empty-net goal in the final seconds, his third point of the night.

Bright Spots and Persistent Woes

Power, Peterka, and Samuelsson each registered multi-point nights for Buffalo, showcasing the potential of the team’s young core. Rasmus Dahlin, returning from a seven-game absence due to back spasms, logged a team-high 23:33 of ice time and looked strong in his first game back.

However, Buffalo’s defensive lapses and inconsistent goaltending remain glaring issues. The Sabres have allowed five or more goals in three consecutive games and rank near the bottom of the NHL in goals against. The team’s special teams also faltered, going 0-for-2 on the power play and struggling to generate sustained pressure.

Looking Ahead

The Sabres now sit at 11-18-4, last in the Eastern Conference, and face the daunting task of taking on the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on Saturday night. With the holiday break looming, Buffalo is desperate for a spark to halt their slide.