BUFFALO, NY – Matt Murray is glad he followed the advice.

629 days ago — before the double hip surgery and the humiliating, arduous, potentially career-destroying rehabilitation — the two-time Stanley Cup winner was the type to just play another game and stick to the athlete’s process.

Narrow focus. Small picture. Next save.

Murray appeared stone-faced in most interviews prior to these 20-plus months of lifting weights, driving buses and visiting doctors.

Try to penetrate the big man’s feelings Throughout his roller coaster career, his pro career, or his injury problems, there was always a puck deflected off his gigantic shoulder pads.

But on a snowy pre-Christmas Friday evening in Buffalo, a city with which he once blocked a deal, Murray let his emotions run wild.

The journey – painful and rocky and undoubtedly full of doubt – reached its climax.

Yes, on the day he finally returned to the National Hockey League, Murray heeded the best advice he’d received from the flood of well-wishers spanning from the Maple Leafs, the Marlies and even his younger hockey days turned to him.

Someone smart suggested Murray not focus on the first save against the Buffalo Sabers, but rather think about the hard hours it took him to even put himself in a position to face this thing.

“Emotions were high today,” Murray said after his 6-3 win for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“I was able to take a moment during warmups and during the anthem and just look around and appreciate the long journey it has been and think of all the people who helped me get here.”

While Murray actually concentrated on the action, the skaters in front of him did their part to give the goalkeeper’s comeback story a happy ending.

The Leafs scored two goals on their first three shots, hounding Buffalo starter Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen before halftime of the game and building a comfortable 5-2 lead for their own goaltender.

Murray may not have been outstanding – he allowed three goals on 28 shots and benefited from two other obvious goals being canceled out due to a high penalty and goalkeeper interference – but he didn’t need to be.

In addition to medical and emotional support, the Leafs also provided him with plenty of running support. (And the sloppy Sabers, who have lost twelve straight, have now laid a dozen eggs.)

Let’s face it: Murray had already won before the puck drop.

“You have a teammate who is going through a long rehab process after a serious injury. You know, he never complained once. “He didn’t feel sorry for himself. He just went back to work,” Morgan Rielly said. “He earns the right to be there, play and do his thing.”

Auston Matthews added: “For the last year and a half, two years we saw him every day at the rink, rehab and training. It’s been a long journey for him and he’s just an incredible person. So it’s great to see him get this win tonight and it’s totally deserved.”

As soon as the buzzer sounded, a Leafs receiving line smothered Murray with hockey hugs and head taps. They radiated respect and appreciation.

Most of them know firsthand the nervousness that comes with the first game after an injury; Most people don’t know what it’s like to work outside of the show for more than a full season, to have reached the top, to fall to the bottom, and to start the climb again.

“We’re all super proud of him and really happy for him,” Max Domi said after presenting Murray with the team’s Player of the Game belt.

“He won the Stanley Cup, so that’s pretty cool too. But I’m sure it feels just as good in many ways. Because I’m sure a lot of people, including himself, would have ignored him and said, “Okay, I’ve got a pretty bad injury.” But it’s incredible to take that much time into each and every day. So these are things that you as media representatives and fans don’t see. But we players do it. And it’s inspiring for us.”

Relieved and parched, the victorious Murray asked for a bottle of water before speaking about the difficult days and the support system that got him through those days.

“That’s the only reason I’m here,” he said. “Returning to the NHL was obviously on my mind the whole time. This is what I’ve been working towards and it’s been a long road, but I’m just super grateful for the opportunity to come back here and get a win tonight.”

And when that final buzzer sounded to usher in this new chapter?

“It was a rush of emotions. And a big release. “It’s great to celebrate with the boys,” Murray said.

“And, you know, there were a lot of very kind words in the room afterward, too. Which meant a lot.”

• After Craig Berube confirmed the eye test on the captain’s health – “I mean, he’s fighting through it” – how are the Maple Leafs doing? Really What do you think of Matthews taking part in the Four Nations Face-Off in February?

Or maybe two weeks of rest won’t cure the mysterious ailment he’s struggling with?

Even though he doesn’t look 100 percent, Matthews has 12 points in his 11 games played since flying back from Munich.

“He is our leader. You will never hear anyone complain about anything. He was out of the lineup there for a while, came back and contributed every night,” says Max Pacioretty.

“He is one of the best players in the world. Whether it’s scoring goals, setting up plays or playing well on defense, he’s a really responsible player who helps the team in all areas – and that’s a big reason why he’s our captain.”

• In their three games together, Toronto’s new third team of Max Domi, Bobby McMann and Nick Robertson combined for eight goals and eight assists.

Each member of the trio will have a three-game points streak through Saturday.

“It’s an incredible feeling,” says Robertson. “If you could feel like that every game, that would be great.”

Matthews added: “All three complement each other extremely well. Bobby is a workhorse. Robby can obviously shoot. And Max is a great distributor. And I just think the three of them really generate a lot of offense and seem to have really good chemistry.”

• Chris Tanev is still out here slinging his body on PK one-timers while the team is up 5-2 against the worst team in the conference, right?

• In all his years, has Berube ever had an owner walk into the locker room in the middle of the season and address the team, like Terry Pegula did with the Sabers this week?

“I probably did at some point. I attended a lot of meetings,” Berube smiled, thinking back to his days with Ed Snider’s Flyers. “I know that back in Philadelphia, Mr. Snider probably would have stepped in a few times for some things. This is simply an owner who cares and wants things to get better and the team to do well. And he turns to the team and gives them trust.

“Mr. Snider was active every day, at the rink, at practice, at games, always in the room talking to the guys. And you know, he was a great owner.”

• Berube smiled perhaps the broadest when discussing Rielly’s instigated fight with Tage Thompson.

“Well, I love it,” the coach said. “We will save this penalty.”