Maple Leafs score four in second, hold off Sabres
via NHL.com
Frederik Gauthier had a goal and an assist for his first multipoint game in the NHL, and the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Buffalo Sabres 5-3 at Scotiabank Arena on Monday.
“Yeah, probably my confidence is [as high as it’s been],” Gauthier said. “It’s my first full year here and it’s been working well so far. I’m just trying to keep building on my game every day and keep it going well. It’s important, every night we try to bring some energy, some momentum and tonight we found the back of the net a few times. It’s always nice to contribute offensively, as well.”
Kasperi Kapanen had a goal and an assist, John Tavares, Auston Matthews, and Tyler Ennis scored, and Frederik Andersen made 31 saves for the Maple Leafs (38-20-4), who have won two in a row following a three-game losing streak and trail the Boston Bruins by one point for second place in the Atlantic Division.
“We like our team, but we still think there’s a ton of growth from within,” Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock said. “We think we can play a lot better and we look forward to that. We really feel we can play a lot better.”
Jack Eichel scored twice, Sam Reinhart had a goal and an assist, and Rasmus Dahlin had two assists for the Sabres (29-25-8), who are 1-4-1 in their past six games and trail the Carolina Hurricanes by six points for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference.
They said it
“He’s played tremendous for us the last two games. He’s been such a key part of our team this year, so you can’t really blame [Hutton] for some of the stuff that was happening. He’s keeping us in most games that we’re in. They get a breakaway, they’re scoring their goals from right inside the hash marks. That’s on us, not [Hutton].” — Sabres captain Jack Eichel on goalie Carter Hutton being pulled
“It’s pretty humbling. Luckily in my first years I’ve played with great players on any given night, guys who can move the puck and make plays, and it allows me to do what I do. I’m kind of a shoot first guy, try to score and it’s kind of how I’ve always been. I’m fortunate to be able to score at this level and it’s very humbling to be in that category.” — Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews on becoming the first player in Toronto history to score at least 30 goals in each of his first three NHL seasons
Need to know
Eichel became the third player in Sabres history to score at least 20 goals in each of his first four seasons, joining Richard Martin (1971-80) and Thomas Vanek (2005-13). … Jake Gardiner’s assist on Gauthier’s goal was his 200th in the NHL.
What’s next
Sabres: At the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; NBCSN, NBCSP, NHL.TV)
Maple Leafs: Host the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET; SN, TVAS, NHL.TV)
Let it roll down the highway.
Tonight’s @OntarioLottery Game Winning Numbers from a big Battle of the QEW victory.#LeafsForever #That649Feeling pic.twitter.com/NhBwwm6LYx
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 26, 2019
Auston Matthews is the first player in @MapleLeafs franchise history to score 30-plus goals in the first three seasons to begin their NHL career (per NHL stats). #LeafsForever
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) February 26, 2019
Frederik Andersen is the eighth goaltender to record 100+ regular-season wins with the @MapleLeafs franchise and required the fewest appearances to do so. #NHLStats #BUFvsTOR pic.twitter.com/NZwYMM3Q1y
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 26, 2019
Every little thing he does is magic. Just ask @OfficialSting.#LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/7CuGc6cCeK
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 26, 2019
The Leafs' jam band may have found its lead singer.
Welcome to Leafs Nation, @OfficialSting! #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/AjzGWoZVsj
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 26, 2019
.@SportChek Player Alert: The @MapleLeafs have recalled forward Trevor Moore from the @TorontoMarlies (AHL) on an emergency basis. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/Tg9xlxpCZ2
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 25, 2019