BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Matt Murray made 25 saves in his first NHL start in nearly 21 months, leading the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 6-3 victory over the Buffalo Sabres, who are now on a dismal nine-game winless streak.
The game, held on Friday night, showcased the resilience of the Maple Leafs, who have clawed their way back up the Atlantic Division standings following this win. Murray, recalled from the minors earlier on the same day, gave the Leafs the bolstered confidence they needed against the Eastern Conference's struggling team. Auston Matthews, Max Pacioretty, and William Nylander helped secure the victory, each contributing key goals.
The match started with early offensive pressure from the Leafs' third line, scoring just 1:29 after the puck drop with Bobby McMann finding the net. Less than two minutes later, the Sabres thought they equalized thanks to Alex Tuch, but the goal was disallowed due to high sticking on Christopher Tanev by Jason Zucker, adding to Buffalo's woes.
On the ensuing power play, Matthews capitalized with his eleventh goal of the season, extending the lead to 2-0. The Sabres, desperately seeking positivity amid their losing streak, responded through JJ Peterka and Mattias Samuelsson, who each recorded goals to keep the match competitive.<\/p>
Max Domi and Nicholas Robertson each contributed to the scoreboard as well, pulling the score to 4-1 before the second period was halfway through. The Sabres switched goaltenders after Luukkonen allowed four goals on just 13 shots, bringing James Reimer onto the ice to face the onslaught.
Despite Murray's performance being far from perfect—he allowed three goals on 27 shots—his return was celebrated after being benched for so long following bilateral hip surgery. Murray's last game before this matchup took place on March 25, 2023, against Carolina. The Maple Leafs welcome his comeback, especially since they lost Anthony Stolarz to knee surgery for the next four to six weeks.
Buffalo's losing streak continues now at 0-9-3, marking their fifth-longest drought ever. Their futility has prompted questions surrounding potential roster changes as the general manager, Kevyn Adams, weighs his options amid the NHL's Christmas roster freeze. This pattern could lead to substantial shifts for the struggling team.
When inquiries arose about the inability of the Sabres to gain any momentum against the Leafs, fans were vocal about the home game atmosphere, with many vocal Toronto supporters traveling to KeyBank Center. This added to the perception of the Sabres' struggles as they couldn't use home ice advantage to shake off their bad luck.
Murray's performance was commendable considering the circumstances, yet unanswered questions remain about his consistency moving forward. With the Leafs engaging the New York Islanders next, the pressure is on Murray to deliver again and secure more wins.
Chris Tanev also played impressively for Toronto, blocking shots and facilitating play, including his 200th career point. The Leafs will hope to incorporate this defensive intensity as they look to build on their current three-game winning streak.
The Maple Leafs now prepare to host the New York Islanders, hoping to increase momentum and capitalize on their current form. For the Sabres, they must regroup swiftly before their next match against the Boston Bruins, aiming to snap this troubling streak.
The clash on Friday was not only pivotal for standings but also showcased several players stepping up who had previously been sidelined due to injuries. The goal scorers for Toronto reflected team spirit and adaptability, with various lines supporting the offensive charge.
Buffalo's upcoming matches may determine the fate of some roster members, especially if performances continue on this downward trend. Coach Craig Berube will face increasing scrutiny as he navigates team strategies and line adjustments, seeking to spark some much-needed life.
The next contest between the Leaf and the Islanders is set for Saturday night, promising to deliver more thrilling hockey action as the regular season inches closer toward its final chapters.
