Matthews gets OT winner in 4-3 victory over Buffalo

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Auston Matthews struck twice for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tuesday night, including the game-winner in overtime to defeat the Buffalo Sabres, 4-3.

The goal came with just 2.7 seconds left on the clock.

“I didn’t really know how much time was left and kind of towards the end of my shift decided to stay out there, and I was just able to pull it in and pick a corner,” said Matthews, who has 15 goals in 14 games this season. “Lucky to get it off with a little bit of time remaining, and I think everybody’s going home pretty happy on our side.”

Frederik Andersen got the win for the Maple Leafs Tuesday night over Buffalo – file photo courtesy of Lewis Bleiman

Frederik Andersen made 38 saves to get the win, the fifth straight for the Leafs.

“We’re in a real battle here with Buffalo,” Toronto coach Mike Babcock said. “You’re in a battle to get better and you’re in a battle for the standings at the same time. But the way the division is, it’s going to be real tight all year. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Jack Eichel had two goals for the Sabres and Sam Reinhart added a marker in the loss.

“We just played two of the top five teams in the NHL on a back-to-back, and we traveled,” Eichel said. “I thought we played a great game tonight. Obviously, they get the extra point and it’s frustrating, but give us credit. … They’re sitting here waiting for us. It’s not easy, and I thought we brought a lot of compete and effort.”

Toronto improved to 20-8-0.

Jake Gardiner and Patrick Marleau also scored for the Leafs.

“I think he knew the puck was up in the air; he might have been one of the few ones nearby and knew where it was,” Marleau said. “I think he knew he had the advantage, and as quick as he was on one side, he was on the other and putting it in.”

Buffalo has dropped four straight after their 10-game win steak was snapped.

[WATCH: All Maple Leafs vs. Sabres highlights]

Linus Ullmark made 26 saves in the loss.

“It’s not easy right now, for sure. It’s pretty disappointing,” Reinhart said. “We have a couple days to kind of take a step back and really look at what we’ve done and what we’ve accomplished in this amount of time. We’ve got to find a way to get back on the winning side of things, and that starts Saturday.”