tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

Leafs Top Sabres In OT 4-3

In a place that has routinely been a house of horrors, the Toronto Maple Leafs went into the First Niagara Arena and defeated the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 in overtime. Matt Frattin had two goals for the Leafs, his second being the game winner with 1.5 seconds remaining on the clock. Frattin, as you recall, was sent down to the Marlies after having a less than inspiring training camp but has come back strong providing the Leafs with some needed scoring punch.

Coach Randy Carlyle had to juggle his lines and moving Jay McClement to Mikhail Grabovski's line paid dividends as McClement notched his first goal of the season that gave the Leafs an early 1-0 lead. Carlyle evened out minutes for his defensemen and it worked out well as Cody Franson played one of his best games as a Maple Leaf. Franson's goal gave the Leafs a 3-2 lead but the Sabres tied it forcing overtime.

James Reimer had another solid game in net for the Leafs. There should be no question that he should be the Leafs number one goalie. The kid really looks confident in net and the Leafs need that to have a chance to win. It will be interesting to see if Carlyle comes back with Reimer on Thursday night against the Capitals.

This game should also wipe away the smugness that Sabre fans have. There is not much difference between the Leafs and the Sabres. Both teams need a legitimate number one center. Both teams need secondary scoring. The key difference is in goal but last night Reimer stood toe-to-toe with Ryan Miller and Frattin beat Miller to win it. For me, there is nothing better than a win over the Sabres, especially in Buffalo.