TORONTO – Rasmus Dahlin achieved his first NHL hat trick, along with two assists, as the Buffalo Sabres overwhelmed the struggling Toronto Maple Leafs in a 7-4 win on Tuesday.
Tage Thompson contributed a goal and an assist in his 500th NHL game, while Josh Doan, Alex Tuch, and Jack Quinn added to the scoring for Buffalo (30-17-5), which is now on a four-game winning streak.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen gave up two goals on five shots before leaving the game due to a lower-body injury in the first period. Colten Ellis stepped in and made 16 saves to secure the victory. Mattias Samuelsson also tallied three assists.
Auston Matthews and Max Domi each scored a goal and provided two assists for Toronto (24-20-9). Bobby Mc Mann notched a goal and an assist, while Matthew Knies also found the net. Joseph Woll made 24 saves during the match.
The Maple Leafs returned home last week after a successful road trip but ended their tough five-game homestand with only one point (0-4-1) and have lost seven of eight overall (1-5-2), causing them to slide down the Eastern Conference standings.
The team started six points behind the second wild-card spot and now sits eight points behind the Sabres in the Atlantic Division.
TAKEAWAYS
Maple Leafs: Darryl Sittler was celebrated before puck drop with a ceremony marking 50 years since he set an NHL record by scoring 10 points in a single game. The former Toronto captain had six goals and four assists during an 11-4 win over the Boston Bruins on Feb. 7, 1976.
Sabres: Doan scored his first goal since signing a seven-year contract extension. His father, Shane, serves as a special adviser to Toronto general manager Brad Treliving.
KEY MOMENT
Dahlin netted what turned out to be the game-winning goal when he got in front of Woll off a cycle play before redirecting a point shot from Samuelsson – his defensive partner – late in the second period for a 4-3 lead.
KEY STAT
The Sabres boast an NHL-best record of 19-3-1 since Dec. 9.
UP NEXT
Sabres: Will host the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday.
Maple Leafs: Are set to visit the Seattle Kraken on Thursday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first Jan. 27, 2026.
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