What if the Buffalo Sabres played with effort every night?

Mar 2, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Buffalo Sabres goaltender Craig Anderson (41) celebrates the win with left wing Victor Olofsson (71) and left wing Jeff Skinner (53) against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Buffalo Sabres goaltender Craig Anderson (41) celebrates the win with left wing Victor Olofsson (71) and left wing Jeff Skinner (53) against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Sabres level of effort involved them in yet another blowout affair. 

Fortunately, the Buffalo Sabres were the ones blowing their opponent out for a change. Before the team snapped a six-game skid, opponents outscored them 25 to 12. But last night against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Sabres poured it on during a 5-1 win.

Effort defined the team’s win. And while they’re still having a problem winning face-offs (45% FOW against Toronto), they beat the Maple Leafs in nearly every statistical category. Their power play came to life and went 1 for 2 while the penalty kill unit warded off the Maple Leafs sole opportunity. And it was only the beginning of what became a memorable night.

Buffalo Sabres show that effort translates to wins against Maple Leafs

Until last night, the Sabres struggled in every facet on defense. The forwards could not maintain puck possession and opponents continually outskated Sabres defensemen. Too often, opponents caught the Sabres out of position and took advantage, outskating and outshooting them by substantial margins early in contests.

The Maple Leafs still outshot the Sabres last night in the first period, but by just one shot. A vast improvement over recent games. Ditto for the second period, before the Sabres logged 16 shots in the third. The defense finally found itself playing in position, providing help for goaltender Craig Anderson by blocking an astounding 16 shots.

And as they’ve been doing rather well all season sans a few outliers, the Sabres won the giveaway/takeaway battle. It was almost like they finally stood up and said, “Hey, we’re better than we played over the second half of February.

What if the Sabres played some of the NHL’s best teams with the same amount of effort they showed against the Maple Leafs? No, they’re not good enough to win every game. That’s impossible for even the league’s best teams to say. But if they show the same amount of effort that they showed last night, odds are they will become a watchable team again sooner than later.

Perhaps their victory over Toronto is the start of something? They showed flashes of effort in their 5-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues. The real test begins for the team’s upcoming homestand that begins on March 4th against the Minnesota Wild.

(Game statistics provided by NHL.com)