3 Major Developments From the Maple Leafs’ Loss to the Sabres

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The Toronto Maple Leafs took on the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night and lost in overtime. The game had multiple storylines, most of which weren’t positive for the Maple Leafs.

The Maple Leafs lost to the Sabres 5-4 after leading 4-2 heading into the third.

Gavin McKenna Benched

McKenna played just 6:36 in Thursday’s game. His last shift came halfway through the 2nd period. Head coach Jim Hiller explained the decision after the game, an explanation that raised questions. Perhaps he got caught up in the game.

“You know what? That was my decision. We went for a stretch. I think we had those penalties. I wanted to get him out there. He sat through the penalties, and then I didn’t get him out there. You know, through that stretch, and then in the last few minutes of the period, we’re just trying to, you know, get out of the period. I guess you would say. And then now, as I’ve sat him for so long, and he sits in the intermission, so I probably should have got him out there early in the third. I didn’t. So I’ll talk to him about that.”

John Tavares Hurt

Tough scene as John Tavares left the game in the third, going straight to the Maple Leafs locker room after a collision in the Maple Leafs’ zone. Tavares exited early in the third period against the Buffalo Sabres after an awkward collision with Josh Norris. The collision happened unexpectedly, and he fell to the ice in discomfort. Tavares remained on the ice in visible pain before a trainer came out to assist him to the dressing room.

Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller had no update on Tavares’ condition after the game.

Marchenko Hat Trick

Kirill Marchenko did what Marchenko was brought in to do: score goals. He recorded his first hat trick as a Maple Leaf, including a pretty between-the-legs goal. The offensive outburst came after Marchenko — signed to a six-year extension with an average annual value of $12.5 million US — scored one goal in his first seven games with Toronto.

After Thursday morning skate, Marchenko said he could “play better for sure.” Hours later, he delivered in a big way.

KIRILL MARCHENKO BETWEEN-THE-LEGS GOAL 😱 pic.twitter.com/j4ji6lrpc1

— NHL (@NHL) October 15, 2026

The Bottom Line for the Maple Leafs

In the end, there were some good moments, but the Maple Leafs let two points slip away. Marchenko gave them a reason to smile, but McKenna’s ice time and Tavares’ injury leave plenty of questions heading into the next game.

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