Auston Matthews scores in OT for NHL-leading 54th goal, Maple Leafs beat Sabres 2-1

Mar 6, 2024 | 9:57 PM

ANAMEHIM, Calif. (AP) — Auston Matthews scored his NHL-leading 54th goal at 4:20 of overtime to give the Toronto Maple Leafs a 2-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night.

Matthews took Mitch Marner’s feed from behind the net and beat Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen high to the blocker side.

William Nylander also scored to help Toronto rebound for a 4-1 home loss to Boston on Monday night — with a rematch with the Bruins ahead Thursday night in Boston. The Maple Leafs are 10-2-0 in their last 12 and 36-18-8 overall.

Ilya Samsonov made 24 saves, the best when he gloved Tage Thompson’s shot in overtime. Victor Olofsson scored for Buffalo. Luukkonen stopped 25 shots.