3 Thoughts on the Maple Leafs’ 5-4 Overtime Loss to the Sabres

The Toronto Maple Leafs are making life difficult for themselves early this season. Thursday night’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres was another example of a team that can score enough goals to win but still hasn’t figured out how to protect a lead. The Maple Leafs are now 3-3-2, with eight points, and these divisional games matter if they hope to make the playoffs.

There were some good things to take from this one. Kirill Marchenko had a terrific night, Auston Matthews scored again, and John Tavares looked comfortable in a different role. Unfortunately, none of that was enough to overcome another defensive collapse and a third period the Maple Leafs would probably rather forget. Here are three thoughts from a frustrating night at home.

Thought One: Kirill Marchenko and John Tavares Give the Maple Leafs Something to Build On

Let’s start with the good news. Marchenko was outstanding, scoring three goals in his 300th NHL game. His first was a beauty, roofed from close range on the power play. His other two showed the kind of finishing this team needs, including a rocket after Tavares worked hard along the boards.

Tavares was another bright spot. He spent plenty of time on the wing, switching positions with Nick Paul after faceoffs, and I liked what I saw. He’s strong along the boards and makes smart plays. Playing him with a shooter like Marchenko makes sense, especially when Tavares can help create opportunities instead of doing everything himself.

Matthews also opened the scoring with a terrific play, making a high catch before getting the puck to his buddy and finishing the return pass himself. The Maple Leafs have enough offensive talent to make this team interesting. The trouble is that scoring five goals should usually put you in a pretty good position to win. The Maple Leafs still found a way to lose.

Thought Two: The Maple Leafs’ Defence Keeps Giving Away Too Much

I know we’ve talked about the defence before, but how many times can we watch the same movie? The early Matthews goal didn’t last long. A missed puck behind the net helped Buffalo create a dangerous chance, and the Sabres took advantage. Later, Jake McCabe allowed a forward too much room to enter the high-danger area, and the defensive coverage left plenty to be desired.

The bigger problem came late in the third period. Toronto had a two-goal lead, but Buffalo started spending long stretches in the offensive zone. Sergei Bobrovsky was beaten on a screened point shot, and the pressure eventually turned into the tying goal.

You cannot keep allowing opponents to attack with that much time and space. Gap control, clearing rebounds, winning battles, and getting the puck out of trouble aren’t glamorous parts of the game, but they’re how teams protect leads.

For a team hoping to make the playoffs, this simply isn’t good enough. The Maple Leafs don’t need a perfect defence, but they do need one that can get through a difficult five minutes without falling apart.

Thought Three: Sitting Back Is Not a Winning Strategy

The third period was the most concerning part of the night. With the Maple Leafs protecting a two-goal lead, Buffalo took over. Toronto struggled to generate offence, and the bench thinned, with Gavin McKenna and Zach McEwen sitting.

McKenna’s lack of ice time became another talking point, and head coach Jim Hiller later acknowledged he intended to get the rookie back into the game but didn’t. That’s on the coach, and he’ll have to sort it out. Still, the bigger issue was the team’s inability to respond when Buffalo began pushing.

Tavares also left the game after a collision and headed to the dressing room. Hopefully, that injury isn’t serious, because he was having a strong night.

Once Again, the Maple Leafs Let a Winnable Game Slip Away

The Maple Leafs survived regulation but couldn’t finish the job in overtime. Owen Power scored the winner, leaving Toronto with another avoidable loss.

Here’s the bottom line: the Maple Leafs can score, but they can’t keep asking their offence to bail them out. The defence has to be better, and the team has to learn how to close games. At 3-3-2, there is still time to turn things around. But these are divisional points they can’t afford to keep throwing away.