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# Leafs Max out on the Sabres
- URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/leafs-max-out-on-the-sabres/
- Published: 2024-12-21T02:36:53.000Z
- Updated: 2024-12-21T02:36:53.000Z
- Description: The Leafs suddenly have a top nine.
- Author: Cathy Squires
- Tags: Game Coverage

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/2024/12/GfR-J7gWgAAo9vD-1-.jpg)

### First Period

The third line struck early: 

> BOBBY MCMANN 🚨 The third line gets a three-on-one
> 
> — [Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [2024-12-21T00:17:02.058Z](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh/post/3ldrmrfisf22m?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

Was Domi passing? Yes, obviously. But did that help the Sabres? Not so's you'd notice.

Sabres got one right back on a slick centring pass from the corner: 

> Alex Tuch's goal that was eventually called back
> 
> — [Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [2024-12-21T00:18:46.909Z](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh/post/3ldrmujh2522m?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

Except the goal was disallowed because of a very slow whistle\* on a high stick. Goal called back, Leafs with a double minor, Sabres not as irate as they should have been.

\*No whistle, it was a linesman's call: 

> Am told the actual rule is 78.5 (viii):  
>  
> "When a Linesperson reports a double-minor penalty for high-sticking...to the Referee following the scoring of a goal by the offending team, the goal must be disallowed and the appropriate penalty assessed."
> 
> — Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) [December 21, 2024](https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1870289111262630312?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

> Tanev got a stick to the face before the goal is a double-minor, Tuch's goal was waived off
> 
> — [Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [2024-12-21T00:19:27.772Z](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh/post/3ldrmvqg3fs2m?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

The power play seemed very much like passing practice until suddenly it was something more: 

> AUSTON MATTHEWS 🚨 Power play goal with sauce from Nylander
> 
> — [Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [2024-12-21T00:22:06.494Z](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh/post/3ldrn2hrvec2m?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

OE-owie: 

> Ekman-Larsson went right off after getting hit with the puck here
> 
> — [Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [2024-12-21T00:29:57.535Z](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh/post/3ldrniiywdk2m?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

He left the game briefly but returned. 

Morgan Rielly took on Tage Thompson after a hit on Matthews. 

> Rielly vs Thompson
> 
> — [Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [2024-12-21T00:35:18.764Z](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh/post/3ldrns3e3j22m?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

> the fight was in response to Thompson's hit on Matthews
> 
> — [Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [2024-12-21T00:38:44.966Z](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh/post/3ldrny7ytoc2m?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

After one it was 2-0 Leafs, on a very few shots with a little bit of coasting after the lead:

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/2024/12/Capture-7.PNG)

Just a slight flattening of the Leafs line, nothing to worry about. 

### Second Period

This period also started with a third-line goal, and it was a beaut.

> NICK ROBERTSON 🚨 Five-hole laser
> 
> — [Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [2024-12-21T01:09:24.261Z](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh/post/3ldrpp25ay22m?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

The Sabres struck right back, and this one counted: 

> JJ Peterka gets one back for the Sabres
> 
> — [Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [2024-12-21T01:10:58.998Z](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh/post/3ldrprugssc2m?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

Simone Benoit and Matt Murray split the blame for that one.

Bobby McMann decides to paint a masterpiece to restore the lead: 

> MAX DOMI 🚨 Holy what a set of passes from McMann and Marner
> 
> — [Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [2024-12-21T01:15:14.797Z](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh/post/3ldrpzif6j22m?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

Close up:

> my goodness
> 
> — [Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [2024-12-21T01:15:50.038Z](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh/post/3ldrq2jynkc2m?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

That's enough to kick UPL and bring in James Reimer.

Max Pacioretty wants in on this scoring thing: 

> MAX PACIORETTY 🚨 Head to the net and good things happen
> 
> — [Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [2024-12-21T01:25:57.024Z](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh/post/3ldrqmmuiak2m?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

Jake McCabe: bouncer in the waterfront bar: 

> don't take extra shots at Jake McCabe's goaltender
> 
> — [Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [2024-12-21T01:32:35.535Z](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh/post/3ldrqyivy7k2m?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

That put the game to four-0n-four and Buffalo got one back as the teams played up and down the ice a little too loose with the extra space.

> Mattias Samuelsson makes it a three-goal deficit
> 
> — [Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [2024-12-21T01:36:21.530Z](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh/post/3ldrr7agtgk2m?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

Holmberg took a fairly dumb penalty with two minutes plus to go in the second, but the Leafs killed it. 

After two it was 5-2 Leafs, and we have once again entered the territory where how well the teams play ceases to matter much. But after that flatline in the first, the Leafs have been steadily pouring on the offence. And the goals. 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/2024/12/Capture-8.PNG)

Guys named Max not quite equalling Matthews. 

### Third Period

We get knocked down, and we get bored some more, you'll never really wake us up. 

> Sad times on the Sabres bench 😓 [pic.twitter.com/qHardmzjWJ](https://t.co/qHardmzjWJ?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) [December 21, 2024](https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1870285611225014589?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

That was mean, I bet they're really not having fun. And they want everyone to know it.

The early third period was mostly the John Tavares line enjoying having William Nylander back, but they didn't manage to get one past Reimer.

> another good chance for Pacioretty off the turnover [pic.twitter.com/mfPRRk0zta](https://t.co/mfPRRk0zta?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 21, 2024](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1870288512794407263?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

> Tavares finds Nylander for a chance of his own [pic.twitter.com/UUGoL82iEY](https://t.co/UUGoL82iEY?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 21, 2024](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1870290004678725765?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

Buffalo's two towers defence pair makes it 5-3 Leafs with 8 minutes to go.

> Owen Power brings Buffalo within two
> 
> — [Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [2024-12-21T02:19:09.163Z](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh/post/3ldrtlr4qkk2m?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

Jason Zucker, who cares enough to take a lot of penalties, gives the Leafs a power play break from defending.

Power with another to make it a one-goal game:

> Owen Power gets another one it's 5-4
> 
> — [Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [2024-12-21T02:28:20.491Z](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh/post/3ldru46vwsk2m?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

Except... Toronto challenged for goaltender interference, a fairly high-risk gamble from the bench. But the replay showing the skate through Murray's stick was pretty conclusive. That's actual textbook interference.

> Power's second goal was called back for goaltender interference
> 
> — [Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [2024-12-21T02:30:11.417Z](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:puwdi3kzppd6ekvrtw5advlh/post/3ldru7ip4y22m?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

No sign of Reimer being pulled until 2 minutes to go. 

Pacioretty missed the open net, and in a fairly brain-dead moment he shot it from the wrong side of the red line. 

Nylander doesn't miss, and that gives John Tavares his 600th assist. 

Final score was 6-3 Leafs, and in this one, they actually outplayed the other team. 

Leafs next game is tomorrow at home to the Islanders. Don't forget to book Monday off work to watch the afternoon game, the last before the Christmas break.

See you tomorrow!