Score: Buffalo Sabres 1 | Toronto Maple Leafs 2 (OT)
Shots: BUF 25 | TOR 27
Buffalo Sabres Goals: Victor Olofsson (5)
Toronto Maple Leafs Goals: William Nylander (34), Auston Matthews (54)
Minus 1: Can I Get a Shot?
The Sabres struggled to get shots on net, both early on and later in the game. The team didn’t record its first shot on goal until the 14:51 mark of the first period. Then, in the third period, they registered just one shot in the opening 15 minutes of the frame, with the game tied 1-1 at that point. Although the Sabres did manage to step it up late in the first period and throughout the second period, they were outshot 10-3 in the third, and overall, it’s just not how you win a hockey game.
Minus 1: Where Was Benson?
Zach Benson didn’t see the ice in overtime. He also only played three shifts in the third period – one that lasted 55 seconds, one that lasted three seconds, and the final that was 1:14 in length. He didn’t touch the ice for the final 8:12 of regulation or any of the 4:20 in overtime.
Others who didn’t play in the overtime: Henri Jokiharju, Jordan Greenway, Kyle Okposo, Zemgus Girgensons, Ryan Johnson, Eric Robinson, Connor Clifton and Jacob Bryson.
The only defensemen who saw the ice in overtime were Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power.
Final Thoughts
It’s a loss to the Leafs, of course it stinks. The Sabres got a point, but that doesn’t really feel good right now, does it? They needed two points. Not much time to dwell on it, though, as the team is back in action tonight in Nashville against a Predators team that is tied for the top wild card spot in the Western Conference.