TORONTO – John Tavares scored twice as part of a second-period outburst and added an empty netter for his 14th career hat trick as the Toronto Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 deficit to pick up a 5-3 victory over Buffalo on Sunday, adding more woes for the hapless Sabres.
Max Domi and Nick Robertson also contributed, each adding a goal and an assist for the Maple Leafs (19-10-2). Bobby McMann chipped in with two assists as well, signaling the strength of Toronto’s depth scoring. Meanwhile, Dennis Hildeby stood tall, making 24 saves during his third career NHL start after being recalled from the American Hockey League, stepping up with Anthony Stolarz sidelined due to injury.
Buffalo (11-16-4) jumped out to early leads and showcased persistence with Jack Quinn scoring two goals and Alex Tuch netting another. Quinn’s efforts highlighted his return as he broke his 16-game goal drought. The Sabres hold the unfortunate distinction of being winless over their last ten games, struggling significantly since their last victory against the San Jose Sharks on November 23.
Originally trailing 3-1, Toronto sparked its offense midway through the game, with Robertson igniting the turnaround at 11:20 of the second period. Tavares quickly followed suit, netting his first goal just over a minute later and completing the goal barrage, putting Toronto up 4-3 within just over two minutes of fast-paced scoring.
This comeback unfolded amid what had been tough skating for Toronto early on, with the team initially outmatched and falling behind after the first period. Coach Craig Berube noted the importance of sticking with the game plan; he praised the effort of his players, stating, "The guys battled hard — all of the lines. I thought everybody was solid tonight, worked hard, competed hard, did a lot of good things, and stayed with it. It was a great third period. We had a lead by a goal, went out, checked, and didn’t give them much."
Berube’s strategic adjustments, particularly moving William Nylander alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner during key stretches, proved wise. The shift was aimed at optimizing offensive opportunities without exposing the star lines to Buffalo’s heavier players.
Quinn’s early pounce put the Sabres up 1-0, and when Tuch added the second goal moments later, the pressure mounted for Toronto. The team failed to tally any shots until over six minutes had elapsed, only to find themselves down 3-1 at one point.
Domi’s resurgence, scoring his first goal of the season amid his previous struggles, was also noteworthy. His scoring breakthrough followed 23 games without finding the back of the net, and it was evident how much it meant to him. Domi reflected post-game, saying, “It feels good, trust me. He isn’t happy he hasn’t produced or scored. We need him to.”
While the game was fraught with tension, Tavares stood out, not just securing the hat trick but also leading by example. His performance epitomized the fight within the Maple Leafs as he utilized his experience and skill to capitalize on opportunities. Berube remarked on Tavares's work ethic, stating, “He just keeps working. I don’t know what to tell you. This guy has a heavy stick. He is smart and competitive.”
Hildeby’s goaltending is also worth mentioning. Despite shaky moments early, he settled down and made some key saves during crunch time. Reflecting on his play, Berube commented, “He settled down after the first two. I thought he made a couple of key saves.” Hildeby even took the initiative to shoot for the empty net for the first time, showing confidence developed through the game.
Looking at statistics, Toronto finished with 40 shots on Buffalo’s net, showcasing their offensive output. According to Berube, generating such offensive productions typically offers leverage, stating, “You’re not going to get 40 shots every night... the attitude of making sure we are shooting pucks, not being cute, just being direct with everything.”
For Buffalo, the road only seems stubbornly uphill. The offensive consistency remains elusive, as they aim for solutions to break out of the loss streak. Coach Lindy Ruff expressed frustration, admitting, “I’m almost lost for words. It’s on me to solve this. This is as tough a solve as I’ve been around, but it’s on me to get these guys in the right place to win.”
Toronto's next challenge brings them face to face with the Dallas Stars on Wednesday, as they hope to build consistency. Meanwhile, the Sabres are slated to visit the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday as they search for their first win since Nov. 23.
This game marks the fifth time this season the Maple Leafs have managed to score five goals, indicating they are starting to find their rhythm as they settle under Berube’s coaching philosophy, which emphasizes direct play and offensive engagement.
With the combination of determined young players and seasoned veterans contributing across all lines, the Maple Leafs look to regain momentum as the season fills the calendar. Meanwhile, Buffalo continues to ponder changes as their winless streak develops as one of the talking points of the NHL season.
