Overview
- Kirill Marchenko scored a hat trick in his 300th NHL game but the Maple Leafs blew a 4-2 lead and lost 5-4 in overtime to the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday.
- Marchenko told reporters he felt responsible for the overtime winner, saying he could have done a better job on the play that led to Owen Power’s goal.
- John Tavares was hurt after a heavy collision and was half-carried off the ice with an unclear condition, and veteran defenseman Chris Tanev remains out week to week, heightening worries about defensive depth.
- Coach Jim Hiller acknowledged he probably should have given rookie Gavin McKenna more third-period minutes, comments that followed fan backlash and social-media calls for Hiller’s dismissal.
- The game intensifies questions about general manager John Chayka’s offseason moves that boosted scoring with Marchenko and others while leaving the Leafs vulnerable late in games and outside a playoff position early in the season.