Owen Power scored in overtime as the Buffalo Sabres erased a two-goal deficit with three unanswered goals to defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs, 5-4, on Thursday night at Scotiabank Arena.
Buffalo improved to 4-3-1 after overcoming a 4-2 deficit in the third period for the third time this season.
Jack Quinn led the Sabres offensively with two goals, two assists and a fight, recording a Gordie Howe hat trick. His four-point performance matched his career high and brought his season total to eight points, including four goals and four assists.
Toronto held a two-goal advantage after Kirill Marchenko recorded the fifth hat trick of his career in his 300th NHL game. Auston Matthews opened the scoring, while John Tavares contributed two assists before leaving the game early in the third period following a collision with Buffalo forward Josh Norris. Tavares appeared to favor his left leg as he skated off the ice.
The Sabres began their comeback when defenseman Dennis Gilbert scored his first goal with Buffalo in his 27th game for the team. It was also his first goal for any club since December 31, 2023. Mattias Samuelsson later found the net to even the score at 4-4 and force overtime.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 26 shots to earn the win, while Sergei Bobrovsky made 29 saves for Toronto, which fell to 3-3-2.
Buffalo played without defenseman Rasmus Dahlin for a second consecutive game because of an upper-body injury. Coach Lindy Ruff said Thursday morning that Dahlin had a 50-percent chance of returning this weekend.
The Sabres visit the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday at 7 p.m., looking to avenge Tuesday’s 4-3 shootout loss to them.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.
