The Buffalo Sabres earned a 3-2 shootout victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night at KeyBank Center, improving to 41-20-6 and strengthening their hold on first place in the Atlantic Division.
Jack Quinn tied the game in regulation and later scored in the shootout, while Alex Tuch netted the decisive shootout goal to secure the win. Owen Power also scored for Buffalo.
Toronto opened the scoring before Power answered to even the game. The Maple Leafs regained the lead in the second period, but Quinn responded with a power-play goal to tie it 2-2. Quinn’s goal continued a strong stretch for the winger, who has recorded six points in his last five games.
Both teams were held scoreless in the third period and overtime as goaltenders Alex Lyon and Joseph Woll turned in strong performances. Woll finished with 30 saves for Toronto, including key stops late in the second period and overtime. Lyon stopped 16 shots and denied both Maple Leafs shooters in the shootout to earn his 19th win of the season.
Toronto received goals from Dakota Joshua and Max Domi while playing its first game without captain Auston Matthews, who is out for the season with an MCL injury.
Tuch returned to the lineup after missing the previous game with a lower-body injury and logged 20:52 of ice time. Defenseman Zach Metsa also returned to the lineup and recorded career highs in shifts (21) and ice time (15:32).
Buffalo has won nine of its last 10 games and has not lost consecutive games in regulation since December 8.
The Sabres begin a four-game road trip Tuesday in Las Vegas. Puck drop is scheduled for 10 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].