Sabres Snap Leafs’ Streak in Thrilling 5-3 Victory
It was a night of high energy and redemption in Buffalo, as the Sabres finally managed to turn the tide against their rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs. After five straight losses to Toronto, Buffalo’s determination paid off with a 5-3 victory on Friday night, powered by defenceman Mattias Samuelsson’s unexpected two-goal performance. The win brought the home crowd at KeyBank Center to life, and it marked a major step forward for a Sabres team that had stumbled out of the gate earlier this season.
From the opening faceoff, Buffalo looked sharp and composed. They never trailed throughout the game, and it was clear that the team had come to make a statement. Alex Tuch’s short-handed breakaway goal late in the third period was the dagger — a perfect mix of skill and timing — coming right after goaltender Alex Lyon made a crucial stop on Matias Maccelli’s one-timer at the other end. That sequence summed up the Sabres’ performance: solid defense turning quickly into lethal offense.
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Lyon himself was excellent between the pipes, stopping 29 shots and holding firm when the Leafs tried to rally. For Buffalo, it was their fourth win in five games after a disappointing 0-3 start to the season, showing how quickly the team has found its rhythm again.
Aside from Samuelsson’s brace, the Sabres got goals from Tuch, Tage Thompson, and Jiri Kulich — all of whom also contributed assists. It was one of those nights where everything seemed to click offensively. The passes were crisp, the forecheck was aggressive, and the Sabres’ speed constantly kept the Leafs under pressure.
On the Toronto side, there were bright moments but also concerns. William Nylander extended his point streak to five games with a goal, adding to his impressive tally of two goals and eight assists during that run. Auston Matthews and Dakota Joshua also found the back of the net. However, Nylander left the ice with about five minutes remaining in regulation and did not return, which could be worrying news for Leafs fans as the team continues its packed schedule.
Goaltender Anthony Stolarz made 25 saves for Toronto, but it wasn’t enough to fend off Buffalo’s balanced attack. The loss dropped the Leafs to 0-2-1 in their last three games, a skid they’ll look to correct quickly as the two teams faced off again the very next night in Toronto.
In the postgame interviews, Leafs coach Craig Berube emphasized the need for consistency and discipline, while the players acknowledged that the Sabres simply executed better in key moments. It was a frustrating loss for Toronto, but for Buffalo, it was a much-needed confidence boost — and proof that their early struggles might finally be behind them.
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