31/82: December 15th vs. BUF

Final Score: Leafs 5, Sabres 3

This game started off really well… for Buffalo. Within three minutes of the opening faceoff, the Sabres jumped out to a 2-0 lead. The goals had come from Jack Quinn (2) on the power-play and Alex Tuch (9).

Then, Max Domi finally scored his first goal of the season with under five minutes left in the frame. His celebration was reminiscent of his first goal last season. He took one more game this season to find the back of the net than he did in 2023-24. He played 80 games last season and finished with nine goals.

Also an (unfortunately) unlikely but welcome scoring source, Nicholas Robertson scored his third of the season in the second period. His goal came two minutes after Quinn had extended the Sabres’ lead to 3-1.

John Tavares’ 2024-25 campaign is off to a scorching start. With his hat trick Sunday night, he’s up to 28 points in 30 games. One might joke about how the “C” on his jersey was weighing him down as he looks to have found a different side to his game with captain duties being amicably handed off to Auston Matthews this summer.

But all jokes aside, Tavares is looking so much better as he’s now in his contract year. The Leafs’ decision on him, should he choose to keep playing after this season, will be critical. There’s nothing in his play so far this year that would suggest he’d hang up his skates.

The Sabres. Oh man. It’s been too long for this team. They just can’t seem to catch a break. They seem to be one of those sprts franchises mired in mediocrity (or worse). There’s something to be said for teams that can bottom out and have the ability to recover.

The Buffalo Sabres do not appear to be one of those examples. They would end up with their 10th straight loss after the Leafs turned up their offense.

Question(s) for the Sabres: What is the identity of this group? Who are the core plyers they want to build around?

The Leafs head to the Lone Star state to play Dallas on Wednesday. 7:30pm puck drop.