Sabres continue their winless despair

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A single Sabres supporter wearing a Grinch mask surrounded by a section full of Maple Leafs fans wearing Santa beards and hats set a festive scene Friday night at KeyBank Center.

If there was any saving grace for the Sabres in their 12th consecutive loss, the volume of cheers for the visitors drowned out the despair from the home crowd. And most of the paying customers went home happy.

The Sabres extended the fifth-worst winless streak in franchise history to a depressing dozen with a 6-3 loss to a Toronto team boosted by a vocal majority chanting "Go Leafs Go!" Buffalo's eighth consecutive home game without a win also marks the fifth-longest skid on record.

Toronto took the lead in the first 90 seconds, doubled it by the end of the first period, and chased Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen on their way to making it 5-1 barely halfway through the second.

The Sabres struggled to overcome early unfortune when what appeared to be a tying goal from Alex Tuch at 2:34 into the first was disallowed by a delayed penalty for high-sticking on Jason Zucker. A late goal from Owen Power also was taken off the board when the Leafs successfully challenged for goaltender interference.

Power, JJ Peterka and Mattias Samuelsson each had a goal and assist for the Sabres. Luukkonen was pulled for the second consecutive game after allowing four goals on 13 shots in 24:27 on the ice. James Reimer made 14 saves and allowed one goal in relief.

Captain Rasmus Dahlin's return after missing seven games with an injury provided little impact for Buffalo, particularly on the power play, which went scoreless on two chances.

Up next

The Sabres travel to face the Boston Bruins on Saturday night before visiting the New York Islanders on Monday.