The Toronto Maple Leafs backed by a stellar goaltending effort from Frederik Andersen and Mitch Marner’s first multi-goal NHL game won 2-1 over the Buffalo Sabres at Key Bank Center on Thursday.
The game marked the first road victory of the season for the Blue and White and ended a seven-game losing streak in Buffalo going back to January 29, 2013.
“We haven't had a lot of success (in Buffalo). I don't know what it is but a lot of things are different now, we've got a lot of different guys and it was nice to come out with a win.” veteran Tyler Bozak said after the game. (Andersen) made some huge saves for us and helped us steal that one.”
The Sabres were without forwards Jack Eichel and Evander Kane, but did not have trouble generating scoring chances throughout the game, outshooting Toronto 43-29.
Marner gave Toronto an early lead, converting a Bozak feed past goaltender Robin Lehner, but preserving that advantage fell upon Andersen, who made 15 first period saves, including an incredible left pad stop on Zemgus Girgensons.
Less than two minutes into the middle frame, Marner struck again as he stole the puck away from Marcus Foligno and quickly tapped it into the Buffalo net for the eventual game-winner. Foligno responded with his second goal of the season later in the period and nearly tied the game, forcing a diving glove stop by Andersen.
In the third, the Sabres pressed for the tying tally, but Andersen was equal to the task, stopping all 12 Buffalo shots. This marked the third straight quality start for the Leafs goaltender, who made 29 saves in a 2-1 loss to Montreal on Saturday and faced 46 shots in a 3-2 win over Edmonton on Tuesday.
“You can see why we made the move for him, he's a big-time goaltender and he's going to give us confidence as time goes on.” Head coach Mike Babcock said after the win. “I thought we started real good in the second. Bozak's line got us two goals, we did it off the cycle. Then we wanted to turn pucks over and watch them play. Freddy had to be good.”
Toronto starts a three-game home stand on Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks.
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The Leafs continue to have a growing taxi squad participating in practices at the Mastercard Center in Etobicoke, ON.
Defenseman Frank Corrado is part of the club’s 23-man roster but has not played in any of their 11 games this season, in spite of injuries to blueliners Martin Marincin and Matt Hunwick.
After placing Hunwick on IR, the Leafs called up forward Nikita Soshnikov to play on the fourth line, which has relegated Peter Holland and Seth Griffith to the press box the last two games.
Forward Josh Leivo was sent to the Toronto Marlies on a three-game conditioning stint after being placed on the non-roster injury list after training camp. The conditioning stint delays the decision of whether to keep the young forward on the roster or try to sneak him through waivers and potentially lose the 23-year-old forward.
Brandon Prust (released from a professional tryout after training camp) continues to practice with the Leafs in hopes of earning a pro contract and on Friday, former Calgary goaltender Karri Ramo was on the ice.
The 30-year-old Finn played 37 games for Calgary last season before suffering a season-ending knee injury.
Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston, was informed by Ramo’s agent that the goalie has not received medical clearance to play and that he has not signed a PTO or pro contract.
“His agent has a relationship with Lou (Lamoriello),”
Babcock said after practice. “(Ramo) needed to get in shape and get his knee redone. Our guys helped him with that process and he was out on the ice today with us because we didn’t want (Andersen)to have a whole bunch of shots.”
Toronto is currently at 50 pro contracts after claiming Ben Smith off of waivers from Colorado and are waiting for a final decision on the buyout of defenseman Jared Cowen, which would lower the number to 49.
The Leafs have Andersen and Jhonas Enroth, along with Antoine Bibeau in the minors, but Garret Sparks suffered a lower body injury last month and veteran minor-leaguer Jeff Glass has yet to play a minute for the Marlies.
Ramo could be signed to a PTO or AHL contract to some game action as a backup for Bibeau, but with teams like Los Angeles and Boston is desperate need of goaltending depth with Jonathan Quick,, Jeff Zatkoff, Tuukka Rask and Anton Khoudobin out, Lamoriello could be open to shopping Enroth if he can get a significant return.
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