Power scores in overtime as Sabres rally past Maple Leafs 5-4

Owen Power scored the overtime winner as the Buffalo Sabres rallied from a two-goal deficit to defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4 on Thursday. Jack Quinn scored twice for Buffalo, while Dennis Gilbert and Mattias Samuelsson added goals in the third period to tie the game at 4-4 before Power’s decisive goal.

Marchenko’s Milestone and Toronto’s Lead

Kirill Marchenko recorded a hat trick, the fifth of his career, in his 300th NHL game. His performance gave the Maple Leafs a 4-2 lead heading into the final period. Auston Matthews opened the scoring for Toronto, and John Tavares contributed two assists.

Marchenko was traded by the Columbus Blue Jackets to Toronto on Sept. 28, just before the season began. Before Thursday’s game, he had scored only once in a Maple Leafs sweater. Head coach Jim Hiller adjusted the forward lines prior to the game, moving William Nylander to the top line with Matthews and placing Marchenko on Tavares’s wing.

A key moment occurred 13:10 into the first period when Tavares passed from the slot to Marchenko, who skated backwards across the Sabres’ crease. Marchenko slid the puck between his own legs and flipped it past goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to give Toronto a 2-1 lead.

Sabres’ Comeback and Goaltending

Buffalo (4-3-1) responded in the third period. Quinn’s first goal came after a giveaway by Maple Leafs defenceman Nick Blankenburg. Gilbert and Samuelsson scored later in the period to level the score. Luukkonen stopped 26 shots for the win, while Sergei Bobrovsky made 29 saves for Toronto (3-3-2).

The Sabres managed only eight shots in the first period compared to Toronto’s 15, but clawed their way back into the game in the third. Toronto’s special teams remained effective, killing all three penalties to improve their NHL-best 95.8 per cent penalty kill rate entering the game. The Maple Leafs went 1 for 3 on the power play, improving their fifth-best 29.2 per cent power play percentage.

Tavares Injury and Power’s Performance

John Tavares left the game early in the third period after colliding with Buffalo forward Josh Norris. The former Toronto captain appeared to favour his left leg as he skated off the ice. His absence impacted the Leafs’ second line during the comeback period.

Owen Power, the Sabres’ defenceman, has been a central figure in Buffalo’s early season. According to The Hockey Writers, Power is tied for the team lead in points with seven (one goal, six assists) and is averaging over 26 minutes a night through seven games. The outlet notes that his on-ice goals percentage sits at 55 per cent, second among Sabres defensemen, according to MoneyPuck.

Power’s defensive play has also drawn attention. The Hockey Writers report that he ranks third among Sabres defensemen in expected goals against per 60 minutes at 2.57 this season. Head coach Lindy Ruff has trusted Power alongside Rasmus Dahlin, who is currently day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

Why it matters

The victory marks a significant comeback for the Sabres, who improved to 4-3-1 on the season. For the Maple Leafs, the loss drops them to 3-3-2, despite Marchenko’s milestone hat trick. The game highlighted the impact of special teams and late-game adjustments, with Toronto’s penalty kill holding strong but ultimately failing to protect a lead. Power’s overtime goal underscores his growing role as a key contributor for Buffalo, both offensively and defensively.

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Sources

• sportsnet.ca: Power scores in overtime as Sabres rally past Maple Leafs - Sportsnet.ca
• globalnews.ca: Power scores in OT as Sabres rally past Leafs | Globalnews.ca
• thehockeywriters.com: Buffalo Sabres' Owen Power Is Turning Into a Number One Defenseman - The Hockey Writers - Buffalo Sabres - NHL News, Analysis & More

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.