The Leafs needed OT to beat the Sabres, what a bunch of losers. Or, the Leafs kept it close all game and won it however they had to.

Like most oneliners there's more truth is what isn't said than what is, no matter which you pick. The simple story, that the Leafs needed OT to take out the Sabres, does set the table for the full picture. They aren't in a place where they can go in and just dominate another team. No matter what other team it is.

Sometimes that's the way it is. And when that is the way it is, you win it whatever way works. In this game, the early theme was some really hard and effective offensive zone play by the big names: Matthews and Tavares (Nylander was taking his first game off since 2022).

The impulse is to gush over Robertson, and laugh about the scratch and then score thing, but both of these goals were created by others, which is why offence creation is the more important measure of a player, particularly a forward, and it is extremely good to see the 1C and 2C getting it done.

Now, to be clear, the Leafs were not all that good in this game. Some bad things very much remained in evidence – trouble getting through the neutral zone was key, and the ensuing difficulty of getting the right players in the offensive zone not exhausted was draining the life out of what was better play than they've done lately.

And there was a lot of defensive confusion:

Tage Thompson is the star of this team.

A hard working line gets rewarded again:

And finally, youthful John Tavares, gassed after a big backcheck, scores the OT winner in total William Nylander fashion.

Good, bad, meh, all mixed up in this game. But it sure beats losing. The mystery that remains is who they put on IR and/or sent to the AHL to make room for the recall of Dennis Hildeby who sat as backup with Anthony Stolarz taking the game off. William Nylander also a late scratch, and it feels like there's some bad news coming. Or maybe Dakota Mermis just got send back down.

The next game is Tuesday against the Flames, and it's a 6 pm start time.

In other news, Elliotte Friedman reported on the Saturday broadcast that the Flames aren't going to do anything with Nazem Kadri until he gets to 1,000 games, which is very soon. But that certainly implies they are doing something after that. He no longer has a full NMC, but has a 13-team no-trade clause.

He also said there's some talk about the Canucks getting Pavel Zacha from the Bruins. If that happens, I think the Bruins will need David Kämpf and they can trade Fraser Minten back for him, and this is not happening, is it? Damn.

Laine to miss 3-4 months for Canadiens after core muscle surgery | NHL.com
Forward hasn’t played since Oct. 16, has 1 assist in 5 games this season
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The next game of the World Series is on Monday (all games are 8 pm starts.)

See you then!

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