Dahlin’s Hat Trick Rocks Toronto as Sabres Stun Maple Leafs 7–4
The Buffalo Sabres walked into Scotiabank Arena and delivered a statement that echoed far beyond the final horn. A 7–4 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, powered by a historic night from Rasmus Dahlin, has shaken the Atlantic Division race and intensified the pressure on a Toronto team running out of time.
This game turned into a showcase for Dahlin. The Sabres defenseman recorded the first hat trick of his NHL career, added two assists and finished with five points in a performance that felt dominant from start to finish. He wasn’t just scoring goals. He was controlling the pace, jumping into the rush and delivering the go-ahead goal that flipped the game firmly in Buffalo’s favor late in the second period. In the process, Dahlin crossed the 400-point mark for his career, a rare milestone for a defenseman and a reminder of how central he has become to this Sabres team.
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Buffalo showed depth and resilience throughout the night. Tage Thompson marked his 500th NHL game with a goal and an assist, continuing a strong scoring season. Mattias Samuelsson quietly played a huge role, collecting three assists and helping drive play from the blue line. Even after starting goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was forced to exit early with a lower-body injury, the Sabres never lost control. Colten Ellis stepped in cold, made key saves and steadied the game when Toronto tried to push back.
For the Maple Leafs, the loss cuts deep. Toronto traded goals early and showed flashes of offensive danger through Auston Matthews and Max Domi, but defensive breakdowns and missed assignments kept opening the door for Buffalo. Each time the Leafs looked ready to regain momentum, the Sabres responded with speed, precision and confidence. By the third period, the gap felt larger than the scoreboard suggested.
This result matters because of what it does to the standings and the psychology of the race. Buffalo now sits eight points ahead of Toronto in the Atlantic Division, strengthening its grip on a playoff position. For the Leafs, already sliding in the wild-card chase, this loss adds urgency to an already difficult stretch. With limited games remaining before the schedule pauses for the Winter Olympics, every missed point tightens the margin for error.
Tonight wasn’t just about one game. It was about direction. Buffalo looks like a team climbing with belief and structure. Toronto looks like a team searching for answers under growing pressure. Stay with us as this playoff picture continues to evolve and keep watching for the latest developments from across the NHL.
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