Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews carries the puck past Sabres defenceman Conor Timmins during second period NHL action in Buffalo, N.Y., Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. Photo by Jeffrey T. SportsNet
The Buffalo Sabres snapped a five-game losing streak against the Toronto Maple Leafs with a thrilling 5-3 victory Friday night. Defenceman Mattias Samuelsson emerged as the star, scoring twice in his first multi-goal game of his career.
Alex Tuch sealed the win with a short-handed breakaway goal at 3:01 remaining. His strike came immediately after Buffalo goalie Alex Lyon denied Matias Maccelli’s one-timer in front. Lyon finished the night with 29 saves, helping Buffalo capture a crucial victory.
Sabres Never Trailed, Show Consistency
Tuch, Tage Thompson, and Jiri Kulich all contributed a goal and an assist, showcasing the Sabres’ balanced attack. Buffalo now boasts four wins in five games after starting the season 0-3. Their dominance Friday left Toronto chasing the game from start to finish.
Toronto struggled despite goals from William Nylander, Auston Matthews, and Dakota Joshua. Nylander extended his point streak to five games with two goals and eight assists over that span. However, he did not return after leaving the ice with five minutes left in regulation. Maple Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz stopped 25 shots in a losing effort.
Samuelsson’s Breakout Night
Samuelsson’s performance was a major highlight. The defenceman scored twice after only netting seven goals in his previous 217 NHL games. His second goal came on a sharp snap shot from the left circle, putting Buffalo ahead during the pivotal second period.
Key Moments in the Second Period
The Sabres squandered two one-goal leads in the opening frame, but a strong second period changed the game. Thompson scored on a give-and-go with Bowen Byram at 7:20, followed by Samuelsson’s second goal at 13:10. That surge put Buffalo firmly in control and forced Toronto to play catch-up.
Maple Leafs Hit by Injuries
Toronto entered the matchup without two top defencemen. Chris Tanev is sidelined with an upper-body injury, while Morgan Rielly remains out for undisclosed reasons. The absence of these key players contributed to the team’s defensive struggles.
Goalie Updates for Toronto
Earlier on Friday, the Maple Leafs announced that goalie Joseph Woll will rejoin the team following a month-long leave of absence for personal family matters. Under NHL rules regarding long-term injured reserve, Woll becomes eligible to play starting Nov. 1.
Looking Ahead
The two teams will meet again in Toronto on Saturday night. Buffalo hopes to extend its strong start, while Toronto will aim to break its 0-2-1 slide over the past three games. With both squads featuring star talent and key absences, the rematch promises another intense battle.
