In Toronto, a hat trick from the Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews was not enough on Saturday as they lost to the visiting Buffalo Sabres, 6-4.
Alex Tuch hit for two third period goals to drive the Sabres to the win.
“[Our effort tonight] was a reflection of a lot of anger,” Buffalo coach Don Granato said. “I’m not speaking just for myself. The room took it to heart. They were disappointed to be below their standard and they rose to it tonight.”
The Sabres improved to 6-6-0.
Matthews scored twice in the third. His first was with only 17 seconds gone in the frame for a 3-2 tie.
Jordan Greenway pushed the Sabres back in front, 4-3, at 3:11.
Matthews finished his hat trick at 7:26 for a 4-4 tie.
Tuch then hit for his double, the first coming at 12:48, and the double into an empty net with 66 seconds left n the game for the 6-4 final.
“I think obviously last night we didn’t have a great game and we wanted to have a big response, and we played a pretty talented team,” the Sabres’ Jeff Skinner said. “If they get a chance or capitalize on an opportunity, we want to come back and have a good response in game, too. There was a lot of good moments for us throughout that game. Fortunately, we get the result we wanted.”
Toronto dropped to 5-4-2.
“It felt like we beat ourselves,” Toronto defenseman Mark Giordano said. “Every time we found a way to get back in the game, we gave them one. Pretty disappointing. We found ways in all aspects of the game to give them a freebie.”
Mitchell Marner scored for the Maple Leafs at 12:05 of the first for a 1-0 lead.
The Sabres replied with power play goals from J.J. Peterka at 16:13 to tie it, 1-1, and a marker from Tage Thompson at 6:28 of the middle frame for a 2-1 lead.
“Just a [mess] really,” Marner said. “No speed by me. We have game plans coming in about what we want to try to do on the power play and try to execute it. Sometimes I think it’s just about (making) the safer play.”
Matthews; first came at 11:22 of the second for a 2-2 tie.
Skinner pushed Buffalo back into the lead, 3-2, at 11:56 of the second, the goal came off a pass from Ryan Johnson who made his NHL debut.
“I was just excited to be out there, getting the opportunity,” Johnson said. “The puck was up in the air and just grabbed the puck, moved to the side, kind of shielded it and passed to Skinner, and then Skinner just took a really nice slap shot. I was surprised it went in.”
Joseph Woll made 35 saves in the loss.
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