Owen Power's overtime goal gives Sabres 5-4 comeback win over Maple Leafs

How the game ended

The Buffalo Sabres rallied from a two-goal deficit in the third period to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4 in overtime on Thursday night, Oct. 15, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Owen Power scored the winner, according to The Canadian Press. ^{[1] [2]}

Buffalo trailed 4-2 in the third. Dennis Gilbert scored to cut the lead, and Mattias Samuelsson tied it 4-4 to send the game to overtime, The Canadian Press reported. Gilbert's goal was his first for Buffalo in his 27th game with the club and his first for any team since Dec. 31, 2023, according to FingerLakes1. ^{[1] [2]}

Buffalo improved to 4-3-1. FingerLakes1 reported it was the third time this season the Sabres have overcome a third-period deficit. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 26 shots for the win, and Sergei Bobrovsky made 29 saves for Toronto. ^{[1] [2]}

Key performers

Jack Quinn scored twice for Buffalo. FingerLakes1 reported he also had two assists and a fight, making him the fourth Sabre to record a Gordie Howe hat trick, and that his four points matched his career high. ^[2]

For Toronto, Kirill Marchenko scored a hat trick, the fifth of his NHL career, in his 300th game, The Canadian Press reported. The Leafs acquired him from Columbus on Sept. 28, and he had scored once in a Toronto uniform before this game. Auston Matthews opened the scoring and John Tavares had two assists. ^{[1] [2]}

Toronto killed all three penalties it took and went 1-for-3 on the power play, according to The Canadian Press. ^[1]

Tavares leaves early

Tavares left the game early in the third period after colliding with Buffalo's Josh Norris and appeared to favour his left leg, according to both The Canadian Press and FingerLakes1. Neither report included a team update on the injury, and its severity is not known. ^{[1] [2]}

Buffalo was without defenseman Rasmus Dahlin for a second straight game with an upper-body injury. FingerLakes1 reported coach Lindy Ruff put his chance of returning this weekend at 50 percent. ^[2]

What's next

Both teams play again Saturday. Toronto hosts the New York Islanders, and Buffalo visits the Montreal Canadiens at 7 p.m., a rematch of Tuesday's 4-3 shootout loss to Montreal, per FingerLakes1 and The Canadian Press. ^{[1] [2]}