For most of the third period, the Buffalo Sabres went into a defensive shell to preserve their 2-1 lead. Whether by choice, or just by an rejuvenated Maple Leafs attack, the Sabres spent most of the final 20 minutes of regulation in their zone.
After Tim Connolly netted his third of the season on a breakout pass from Jason Pominville, the Sabres looked as if they had found a major weakspot in Toronto’s game plan but failed to exploit it.
Buffalo took a total of 3 penalties following Connolly’s goal and the late equalizer. But they were able to withstand all three chances without faltering
It wasn’t until Toronto had taken their own penalty, and pulled their goaltender, were they able to break through Ryan Miller again. And it took a controversial tip to do it.
Mikhail Grabovski tipped a Tomas Kaberle shot between the legs of Miller for a shorthanded marker. The Sabres, however, objected to the goal because Grabovski’s stick could have been over the crossbar when it connected with Kaberle’s shot. The major problem with the reviews was that not one replay angle provided a clear view of both the stick and the crossbar and therefore, it was upheld.
The Sabres, however, would get the last laugh.
Just over the minute into the overtime period, Tim Connolly controlled the puck at the high point and ripped a shot through a crowd of players in front of Jonas Gustavsson, and found the back of the net. His second of the game and fourth of season.
Note: Ryan Miller remains undefeated in regulation, posting an 8-0-1 record.
Sabres 3 – Leafs 2 F/OT
8-1-1, 17 points
Next up: Halloween night @ the Islanders, 7 pm
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