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Short-Handed Leafs Bested By Bottom Dwelling Buffalo

November 16, 2013, 1:19 AM ET [603 Comments]
Mike Augello
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Maple Leafs continued their offensive struggles and long tradition of losing in Buffalo, as they suffer a 3-1 defeat to the Eastern Conference bottom dwelling Sabres at First Niagara Center on Friday. The loss is Toronto’s fourth in the last five games and second in a row on the road.

Steve Ott and Marcus Foligno scored less than six minutes apart in the second period to give the Sabres a lead they would not relinquish. Defenseman Christian Ehrhoff thwarted a late Toronto rally, blocking a James van Riemsdyk shot headed towards the open Buffalo goal and scoring the empty netter for the Sabres, who win their second straight home game after starting the season 0-8-1 on home ice. The win was also the first for interim coach Ted Nolan, who replaced the fired Ron Rolston on Wednesday.



Leafs nemesis Ryan Miller continued his dominance over the Blue and White, making 32 saves for his 30th career victory over Toronto.

“Miller’s been a mainstay in Buffalo, we know what type of quality goaltender he is and he’s had a great run of defending the net here in Buffalo and he continues to do it on a day-to-day basis.” Coach Randy Carlyle said following the game.

Trevor Smith, who was recalled from the AHL Marlies Friday morning to replace the suspended Nazem Kadri, scored his second goal of the season for Toronto.

Jonathan Bernier made 24 saves in the loss. The Leafs fall to 11-7-1 on the year and face the Sabres in the second of the home-and-home series at Air Canada Center on Saturday.

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Toronto struggled on three power play opportunities on the night and had difficulty generating any consistent offensive pressure with van Riemsdyk, Smith, Jay McClement and Jerred Smithson filling in for the suspended Kadri and injured Tyler Bozak and Dave Bolland.

Van Riemsdyk appears to not be adjusting well to his shift from the wing to center, as he has gone scoreless in the last five games and is losing close to 60% of his draws.




Carlyle bristled during his post game media scrum when asked whether he would move the struggling van Riemsdyk off the top line or shake things up to find a more successful combo.

“I don’t have anybody else.” Carlyle said. “What else do you want me to do, put a defenseman at forward?”



Defenseman Paul Ranger, who was on for both Buffalo second period goals went to the dressing room in the third period after colliding with Buffalo's John Scott. His status for Saturday night's rematch will be updated in the morning.


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