Ryan O'Reilly's 4-point hat trick sends Leafs past Sabres

Feb 21, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Michael Bunting (58) takes a shot on gaol and scores during the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

By Field Level Media

February 22, 2023 at 2:40 AM

Ryan O'Reilly had three goals and an assist as the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Buffalo Sabres 6-3 Tuesday night.

O'Reilly completed his fourth career hat trick with an empty-net goal at 18:50 of the third period. Mitchell Marner earned his career-best fifth assist of the game on the play, making him the first NHL player to log five assists in a game this season.

The last Maple Leaf to log at least five assists in a game was Doug Gilmour on Jan. 22, 1997, against the Calgary Flames.

John Tavares added a goal and three assists, William Nylander had a goal and an assist and Michael Bunting also scored for Toronto. Ilya Samsonov made 29 saves for the win, Toronto's third in four games.

Alex Tuch had a goal and an assist for Buffalo. Jack Quinn and Jeff Skinner also scored for the Sabres, who were returning from a 2-1-0 road trip and had won two straight.

Buffalo goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen allowed four goals on 10 shots before Craig Anderson took over in the first period. Anderson made 17 saves.

Toronto took a 4-0 lead in the first period.

O'Reilly scored twice within 37 seconds to open the scoring. They were his first two goals since joining the Maple Leafs in a trade on Friday from the St. Louis Blues.

O'Reilly, a former Sabre, scored from 25 feet on a pass from Marner at 3:51 following a Buffalo turnover.

Marner then set up O'Reilly for his 14th goal of the season on a backhand at 4:28.

Tavares scored his 26th goal of the season at 7:14 on a 15-foot wrist shot with O'Reilly and Marner earning assists.

Bunting netted his 19th of the season at 12:09 on Morgan Rielly's pass after a neutral-zone turnover. Anderson then replaced Luukkonen.

Nylander scored his 32nd goal of the season at 14:36 of the second period on a power play with Tavares and Marner earning the assists. The goal came 25 seconds after Jacob Bryson was assessed a tripping penalty.

Quinn scored his ninth goal of the season on an odd-man rush at 5:12 of the third period to end Samsonov's shutout bid. Casey Mittelstadt earned the assist.

Tuch produced his 27th goal of the season at 8:01 of the third on assists from Tage Thompson and Henri Jokiharju.

Skinner scored his 22nd at 16:29 of the third off assists from Rasmus Dahlin and Tuch before O'Reilly capped the scoring, with an assist from Marner.

--Field Level Media