BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Matt Murray, the seasoned goaltender with two Stanley Cup victories under his belt, had his triumphant return to the NHL in a thrilling showdown between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the struggling Buffalo Sabres. In his first start in almost 21 months, Murray showcased his skill and composure, making 25 saves to lead the Maple Leafs to a 6-3 victory, further deepening the Sabres’ woes as they extended their winless streak to a troubling 0-9-3. It was a night of standout performances from the Maple Leafs’ third-liners Max Domi, Bobby McMann, and Nicholas Robertson, each contributing a goal and an assist to secure the win for the Atlantic Division leaders. The star-studded Toronto lineup also saw goals from the likes of Auston Matthews, Max Pacioretty, and William Nylander, highlighting their offensive prowess and depth.
Murray’s presence in the net was a result of his recent call-up from the minors, with regular starter Anthony Stolarz sidelined for an extended period due to knee surgery. Having battled back from bilateral hip surgery that kept him out for the majority of the previous season, Murray seized the opportunity to shine once again between the pipes. His last start before this memorable outing was in a hard-fought 5-3 loss against the Carolina Hurricanes back in March 2023.
The Sabres, despite the valiant efforts of JJ Peterka, Mattias Samuelsson, and Owen Power, could not overcome the Maple Leafs’ relentless attack. Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen faced a barrage of shots and was eventually replaced after Domi’s clinical finish on a 2-on-1 break early in the second period. James Reimer took over in goal, but the Maple Leafs continued to press, with their offensive firepower proving too much for the struggling Sabres.
In the aftermath of the game, the Maple Leafs found confidence in their performance, particularly in providing Murray with a much-needed boost after his long absence from top-level action. Dominating the Eastern Conference’s weakest team for the second time in less than a week, the Maple Leafs showcased their strength and determination as they continue their quest for postseason success.
On the other side, the Sabres faced continued challenges as General Manager Kevyn Adams grappled with finding solutions to their persistent struggles. With the NHL’s Christmas roster freeze limiting immediate roster changes, the Sabres found themselves in a precarious position, desperately seeking a spark to ignite their season. Despite glimpses of talent and effort from individual players, the team as a whole struggled to find consistency and results, leaving fans and management alike frustrated with the ongoing downturn in fortunes.
Throughout the game, key moments and controversial calls added to the drama on the ice. Buffalo saw two goals disallowed, including a pivotal moment when Alex Tuch’s apparent goal was nullified due to a high-sticking infraction
