Sabres 2 - 3 Maple Leafs
Final
  for this game

Reimer solid in net as Leafs edge Sabres

Dec 23, 2011 - 6:27 AM Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - James Reimer turned aside 40 shots to lift the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres.

David Steckel, Nazem Kadri and Phil Kessel all scored for the Maple Leafs, who had lost five of six coming into the contest.

Jason Pominville had a goal and an assist while Derek Roy scored the other goal for the Sabres, who have lost three straight and five of six. Ryan Miller turned aside 28 shots in the loss.

With Toronto holding a 2-1 lead, Buffalo tied the game 1:29 into the third as Pominville was able to pinch the puck away from the boards and it came down to the right circle where Roy caught up to it and in one motion blasted it past Reimer.

However, the Leafs took the lead right back at the 5:52 mark of the third when Clarke MacArthur gained the zone and left a drop pass for Kadri, who ripped a shot into the right corner over the glove of Miller.

Toronto had to kill off a late penalty when Kadri was called for tripping, but the penalty kill and Reimer held firm and Reimer stopped 16 shots in the final frame for the win.

"I love to have a chance to play here and make an impact," said Kadri. "Getting the goal was big and I was holding my breath that whole time I was in the penalty box."

After a scoreless first period, Buffalo took a 1-0 lead on the power play when Pominville's pass from the left circle hit off a Leaf in front and went in at the 11:49 mark of the second.

However, the Leafs struck twice in just over a minute to take a 2-1 lead.

The first came with 4:08 to play in the second when Luke Schenn blasted a shot from the right point and Steckel was on the doorstep to knock home the rebound.

Just 62 seconds later, the Leafs took a 2-1 lead when Joffrey Lupul sent a backhand pass from the left circle to the slot where Kessel redirected it in for his 20th goal of the season.

Game Notes

Buffalo has off until Monday when it will host Washington...Toronto plays in New York against the Islanders on Friday...Buffalo had taken a 5-4 decision over Toronto at home last Friday...Buffalo was 1-for-6 on the power play while Toronto was 0-for-6.






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