Rasmus Dahlin Hat Trick Lifts Sabres Over Maple Leafs

The Buffalo Sabres continued their remarkable surge through the 2025-26 NHL season with a commanding 7-4 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night at Scotiabank Arena. In a matchup that showcased both offensive fireworks and resilience in the face of adversity, the Sabres extended their hot streak to 19-3-1 over their past 23 games and solidified their position near the top of the Atlantic Division standings.

The game began with high intensity, as both teams traded blows in a frenetic first period. The Sabres and Maple Leafs exchanged goals, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. Buffalo’s early offensive push was rewarded when defenseman Rasmus Dahlin notched the opening goal, a play that set the tone for his historic night. Toronto answered quickly, but the Sabres kept pressing, with Tage Thompson—marking his 500th NHL appearance—finding the back of the net to give Buffalo a 3-2 lead heading into the first intermission.

The second period saw Toronto claw back into contention. Bobby McMann scored to tie the game at three, beating Buffalo’s replacement goaltender Colten Ellis. But the Sabres, undeterred, regained control late in the period. Rasmus Dahlin, in the midst of a career performance, fired home the go-ahead goal—his second of the night—putting Buffalo up 4-3 as the teams headed into the final frame.

From there, the Sabres took over. The third period was all Buffalo, with the team scoring three more times, including an empty-netter by Dahlin to seal the deal. The captain’s hat trick was the first of his NHL career and capped a five-point night (three goals, two assists), tying his career high for points in a game. According to the Sabres’ postgame notes, "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." With his performance, Dahlin became just the second defenseman in Sabres history to reach 400 career points (402), trailing only franchise legend Phil Housley (558).

"He’s been playing like an elite player these past 10 games," said Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff after the game. Indeed, Dahlin’s 14 points in the last 10 contests have been pivotal to Buffalo’s rise in the standings. His leadership on the ice, especially with the team facing adversity, has not gone unnoticed. The entire Sabres blueline has contributed this season, but Dahlin’s dominance Tuesday night made the difference.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Sabres, however. Starting goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen left the game with a lower-body injury just 12 minutes in, after appearing to hurt himself while stopping a shot on Toronto’s second goal. He gestured to his left leg before skating off and did not return for the second period. Coach Ruff told reporters, "Luukkonen will be evaluated by doctors on Wednesday, and the team will know more then." Before his exit, Luukkonen had appeared in 20 games this season, posting a .905 save percentage and a 2.66 goals-against average with an 11-7 record.

Into the breach stepped Colten Ellis, Buffalo’s third-string netminder, who hadn’t played in nearly two weeks. Despite the pressure, Ellis rose to the occasion, stopping 16 of 18 shots and earning the win. "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," noted one Sabres analyst. Ellis, who now has 11 games under his belt this season with a .898 save percentage and a 3.10 goals-against average, credited his teammates for keeping the Maple Leafs’ high-powered offense in check. Buffalo’s defense limited Toronto’s shot quality and blocked more attempts, allowing Ellis to settle in and keep the game under control.

Offensively, the Sabres were relentless. They outshot Toronto, capitalized on their opportunities, and played disciplined hockey—remarkably, they took no penalties all night. Many of Buffalo’s goals came from simply getting pucks on net and battling for rebounds. Josh Doan, for example, scored on the power play by pushing the puck to the crease, where it deflected in off a defender’s stick. This blue-collar approach, combined with the skill of players like Dahlin and Thompson, has made the Sabres a tough matchup for any opponent.

Mattias Samuelsson, another key piece of Buffalo’s defense, quietly had a stellar night with three assists—matching his career high for points in a game. "Defenseman Mattias Samuelsson had three points (0+3) for the second time in his career – the previous came Dec. 27 versus Boston," reported the team’s media staff. Meanwhile, Tage Thompson’s milestone 500th game was highlighted by his 28th goal of the season and an assist, though another goal was overturned by an offsides review. Before the game, Thompson had amassed 53 points in 51 games, underscoring his importance to the Sabres’ attack.

For Toronto, the loss was another setback in a season filled with ups and downs. The Maple Leafs, who entered the night ranked 11th in the Eastern Conference and trailing Buffalo by eight points in the Atlantic Division, struggled to match the Sabres’ energy and execution. Goaltender Joseph Woll, who carried a .913 save percentage and a 2.9 goals-against average into the contest, was left exposed too often by a leaky defense. Toronto’s injury woes didn’t help matters, with key contributors like William Nylander and Christopher Tanev sidelined.

Buffalo’s dominance in this rivalry has been a storyline all season. With Tuesday’s win, the Sabres have now taken five of six points from Toronto this year—a stunning turnaround in a series long dominated by the Maple Leafs. The Sabres’ ability to control the flow of the game, get more shots on net, and play mistake-free hockey has been key to their recent success.

Looking ahead, the Sabres (now 30-17-5) will return home to face the Los Angeles Kings at KeyBank Center on January 29. With their captain firing on all cylinders and the team finding ways to win even in the face of injuries, Buffalo’s fans have plenty of reasons for optimism as the playoff race heats up. As for Toronto, the search for answers continues as they try to regain their footing in a crowded Eastern Conference.

Tuesday night’s performance was a testament to Buffalo’s depth, determination, and star power. In a season where every point matters, the Sabres have shown they’re more than ready for the challenges ahead.