Tavares Sparks Maple Leafs to 5-3 Victory Over Sabers – Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabers treated fans to a high-octane game, with the Leafs emerging victorious 6-4. The game saw great performances from both sides, but it was John Tavares who stole the hat trick, including scoring an empty net goal in the dying minutes.

Season One: Maple Leaves Fall Back, But Start to Come Back

The Sabers came out strong, opening the scoring two minutes before the start of the game. Alex Tuch fired a wrist shot past the Leafs goaltender, assisted by Zach Benson and Tage Thompson. Buffalo capitalized on its momentum, adding a power play goal from Jack Quinn at the 1:03 mark, assisted by JJ Peterka and Bowen Byram.

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Toronto responded late in the period, as Max Domi buried a wrist shot at 15:45. Nicholas Robertson and Bobby McMann were recruited as assistants. It was the beginning of the game where the third line started to show strong chemistry. Unlike previous games, Toronto's depth players were on display. The goal after 20 minutes was 2-1 Buffalo.

Second Time: The Maple Leaves Explode Annoyingly

The second frame belonged to the Maple Leafs, who scored three unanswered goals in a span of two and a half minutes. John Tavares tied the game with a wrist shot at 13:51, ending a game that had been stopped by Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Less than a minute later, Tavares scored again, this time getting assists from Auston Matthews and William Nylander.

The action continued at 11:20 when Nicholas Robertson hit a nice wrist shot, assisted by McMann and Domi again. Robertson was on his game and played with new confidence. He was instrumental in creating offense throughout the game. Buffalo scored late with Jack Quinn's second goal of the night at 9:11, cutting Toronto's lead to one. Quinn was assisted by Peterka and Mattias Samuelsson. The score after 40 minutes was 4-3 Toronto.

Third Period: Tavares Closes Deal on Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs kept it together in the final period, holding off Buffalo for the tying goal. Tavares completed his hat trick with an empty netter at 17:48, assisted by Matthew Knies and Mitch Marner. Interestingly, it was Marner's only point of the game.

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The final moments of the game featured a lot of drama. Toronto killed a penalty on Tanev for hooking. However, by then, the Maple Leafs defense and scoring were up to the task and held on for the win. The final score of the game was 5-3 Toronto.

The Buffalo Wars Continue and Jack Quinn's Bright Spot

The Sabers extended their winless streak to 10 games (0-7-3) despite a heroic effort from Jack Quinn. Quinn scored twice and always looked dangerous. His second goal came late in the third period, snapping a 16-game drought and giving Buffalo a glimmer of hope. JJ Peterka also had two assists, showing his playmaking ability.

However, the Sabers struggled to maintain their early momentum, managing only occasional offensive opportunities. Devon Levi faced a whopping 36 shots, blocking many dangerous chances. In the end he couldn't overcome Toronto's relentless attack. Buffalo's defensive lapses, especially in the second half, proved costly. Toronto scored three goals in just 2:31 to erase the deficit.

For the Sabres, their struggles continue as they head to Montreal to face the Canadiens on Tuesday. The Sabers are still searching for their first win since Nov. 23. While Quinn's performance has been impressive, Buffalo will need a total team effort to end its streak.

Important Takeaways for Maple Leaves

First, Tavares was in solid form. The former Maple Leafs captain recorded a hat trick and was solid in key moments. Second, for a change, the Maple Leafs got some depth contributions. Robertson, Domi, and McMann all played key roles, combining for five points. Their performance showed the kind of depth the team needs to win this season. Domi's first goal of the season came in his 23rd game. The 29-year-old also missed seven games due to a physical injury.

Finally, the Maple Leafs' special teams made an impact. Toronto's power play was sharp, and Tavares' second goal showed why their man advantage could be one of the NHL's best. The Maple Leafs visit the Dallas Stars on Wednesday. Perhaps the two Robertson brothers (Nicholas and Jason) will have a chance to clash.