Article content

Goalkeeper Matt Murray needed help from all sides to win his first game in almost two seasons.

Article content

Article content

Article content

His team’s offense, on-ice referees and Toronto video coaches were all part of the support group in a 6-3 final over the Buffalo Sabers that was closer than it needed to be.

In his first game in 638 days after bilateral hip surgery, Murray made 24 saves Friday night at KeyBank Center.

With the goal assist he received, he should have been well within his grasp of scoring four goals late in the second period against a club winless in the last 11 years. But goals from Mattias Samuelsson and, midway through the third period, Owen Power brought the Sabers within two. Then for a moment it was just one before a successful tackle confirmed that Sam Lafferty had bypassed the blue paint and caught Murray’s stick on a long-range goal.

Article content

Article content

That loosened up the Blue and White collars before an empty-net shot from William Nylander made John Tavares the 102nd NHL player to record 600 career assists.

But it was the Leafs’ third line that came out on top for the second straight game, with Max Domi, Bobby McMann and Nick Robertson each scoring a goal – all among the six forwards who scored multiple points on nights.

Auston Matthews on the power play and Max Pacioretty had the other goals in Toronto.

Murray had not played since April 2023. Since then, at least three goalies have had a run at the No. 1 position that Murray had hoped to take over. But it took minor knee surgery for Anthony Stolarz and some needed rest for Joseph Woll to promote Murray from the Marlies.

His inspiring months of rehab brought him back to the AHL late last year, but it wasn’t the end of his story. After signing a minimum wage contract, the almost forgotten man played well enough on the farm this fall to play longer with the Leafs as the backup in front of Dennis Hildeby after Stolarz was injured.

Article content

The 30-year-old Murray started Friday with a vigilant arm stop against Beck Malenstyn.

We’re sorry, but this video failed to load.

Play video

It was Toronto’s best performance of the season with five goals in a row, albeit against a Buffalo team that has conceded five goals 11 times this season. Toronto held on to at least a share of first place in the Atlantic Division until Florida-St. Louis result.

There have been countless stories about the Leafs going to Buffalo with all the friendly support from the crowd but laying a giant egg.

But they were lucky and took a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes. McMann opened the scoring when Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen bet incorrectly that Domi would pass before feeding McMann from a tight angle. Robertson took a hard hit early in the game.

The Sabers’ joy at Alex Tuch seemingly tying the score was short-lived. A linesman had spotted Jason Zucker’s high-stick Chris Tanev causing a gushing nosebleed and called it in as Nylander evaded three Sabers punches to feed Matthews late in the double minor.

Article content

Maple Leafs forward Bobby McMann (right) celebrates with Nicholas Robertson (center) and Max Domi (11) after his goal in the first period against the Sabers in Buffalo, NY, Friday, December 20, 2024.Matthews, who drew much attention for missing the morning skate due to maintenance issues related to his slow return to full impact after an upper-body injury, scored his 11thTh. After Matthews took some hard hits on the same shift, including a stiff shoulder from Tage Thompson, defenseman Morgan Rielly went after the Sabres’ big forward, perhaps willing to take a chance on the Leafs being able to handle Buffalo’s 30ThRanking power play.

Robertson used Domi as a decoy before sinking a five-hole goal, then sent McMann in with Domi, who took the backhand drop and scored his third goal of the season. For Robertson it is the best goal streak of his career in three games.

We’re sorry, but this video failed to load.

Play video

Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff, who enjoyed years of sustained success against Toronto in his previous tenure in this arena, brought in Luukkonen for former Leaf James Reimer. A botched line change led to Pacioretty scoring his fifth goal of the season.

Woll is expected to start Saturday at home against the New York Islanders, who had Friday off.

[email protected]

X: @sunhornby

Article content