“I thought the team competed hard. Buffalo is playing extremely well. They’re good at home. But I thought we hung in there and got a point,” said Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube after the game on March 14, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y.
The Buffalo Sabres defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 in a shootout, marking a significant victory that extended their lead in the Atlantic Division to four points ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Jack Quinn was instrumental in the win, scoring the tying goal and also netting a goal in the shootout.
Owen Power opened the scoring for the Sabres, setting the tone early in the match. The Maple Leafs, playing their first game since star forward Auston Matthews suffered a season-ending knee injury, managed to keep pace with the Sabres throughout the game.
Max Domi, celebrating his 800th NHL game, scored for the Maple Leafs, contributing to a hard-fought contest. Despite their efforts, the Maple Leafs’ record fell to 28-27-12 following the loss.
Goaltender Alex Lyon made 16 saves for the Sabres, while Joseph Woll stood tall for the Maple Leafs with 30 saves. Berube praised Lyon’s performance, stating, “He was very good tonight. He made a lot of saves and gave us a chance out there. He was really good.”
The Sabres had previously experienced an eight-game winning streak before a recent loss to Washington, showcasing their resilience in bouncing back against the Maple Leafs.
As the game progressed, the intensity heightened, with both teams vying for crucial points in the standings. The Sabres’ ability to secure the win in the shootout highlighted their strong home performance.
Looking ahead, the Maple Leafs will face the Minnesota Wild on Sunday night, aiming to regroup after this challenging matchup.
Details remain unconfirmed.