The Buffalo Sabres entered this game as one of the hottest teams in the NHL, while the Toronto Maple Leafs were searching for answers on how to turn around their season. Unfortunately, for Toronto, they didn't get those answers on Tuesday night against the Buffalo Sabres as they lost 7-4.
This game was back and forth in the first period as the teams traded goals before Tage Thompson gave the Sabres a 3-2 lead going into the first intermission. The Maple Leafs would tie it up at three about halfway through the second period with Bobby McMann beating Colten Ellis.
However, it was all Buffalo from that point on as Rasmus Dahlin added a goal late in the period to give them a 4-3 lead going into the final period. The Sabres would score three goals in that final period, including an empty net goal by Rasmus Dahlin to secure the 7-4 victory and have now gone 19-3-1 over their past 23 games.
Buffalo Sabres rewarded with getting pucks on net
While some of the Sabres' goals were pretty, like Tage Thompson's goal in the first period, most of them against the Maple Leafs were not. One of the things they did really well was just getting pucks on net, and this was a game where the Sabres were rewarded for that.
It started with Rasmus Dahlin in the first period as he brought the puck into the zone and from the corner just shot the puck towards the net. While Jason Zucker was there to try and jam it home, he didn't get the chance as the puck deflected off Morgan Reilly's skate for the goal.
Josh Doan had a similar type of goal where the Sabres were on the power play, and Doan didn't really have a great angle to score. However, he just pushed the puck towards the front of the net, and it would hit Troy Stecher's stick to get behind Joseph Woll for the goal.
This is a good example of the Sabres just playing good hockey and doing the things necessary that makes teams successful.
Rasmus Dahlin continues his hot streak
The Buffalo Sabres captain got off to a slow start this season, but over the past 10 games, he has been playing like the elite player that fans have come to expect. On Tuesday, against the Maple Leafs, was one of those games where he just took over, as he finished with five points after three goals and two assists.
This game was the first time since January 7th, 2023 that Dahlin has had a five-point game but it is his first NHL career hat-trick.
Rasmus Dahlin now this season has 42 points, with 14 of those points coming in the last 10 games. The Sabres have gotten great production from almost their entire blueline this season, but if the captain is playing at this level, teams are going to struggle to match up with them.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen leaves with injury; Colten Ellis steps up when the Sabres need him
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen got the start against the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Maple Leafs were getting the better of the Sabres goalie as he allowed two goals on five shots. However, after the second goal he seemed to be in discomfort and was replaced by Colten Ellis with about eight minutes left in the first period.
It isn't easy for a goalie to step in midgame, but for Ellis, it probably was especially tough considering he hadn't been in a game in almost two weeks. The last game he played in was on January 15th against the Montreal Canadiens.
The Sabres did a good job of limiting the Maple Leafs' shots in this game, as Colten Ellis was asked to stop 19 shots. This certainly helped a player try to knock off some rust but Ellis also did a good job as he allowed only two goal after coming into the game.
There was no question who was the better team in this game
For the longest time, this rivalry has been dominated by the Toronto Maple Leafs but this season has been a different story as the Sabres have now taken five of six points against the Maple Leafs. On Tuesday, the score was close for the first half of the game but watching it, the Sabres were really controlling the flow of the game.
As the game went along, the Sabres were able to continue to make plays and eventually pull away from the Maple Leafs. The Sabres seemingly did everything better than Toronto as they were able to get more shots on net, had no penalties, and blocked more shots. They were able to do all that while losing their starting goalie early in the first period.
The Buffalo Sabres will now return home to play the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday in their first game back at KeyBank Center since January 17th.