Dahlin scores first NHL hat trick to lead Sabres to 7-4 win over Maple Leafs

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Buffalo Sabres' Rasmus Dahlin, center, celebrates his goal with Tyson Kozak (48) as Toronto Maple Leafs' Nicholas Robertson (89) skates during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) stops Buffalo Sabres' Josh Doan (91) during third period NHL action in Toronto on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) — Buffalo Sabres' Rasmus Dahlin, center, celebrates his goal with Tyson Kozak (48) as Toronto Maple Leafs' Nicholas Robertson (89) skates during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

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9:16 PM on Tuesday, January 27

The Associated Press

TORONTO (AP) — Rasmus Dahlin had the first hat trick of his NHL career to go along with two assists and the Buffalo Sabres beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 7-4 on Tuesday night.

Tage Thompson, with a goal and an assist in his 500th NHL game, Josh Doan, Alex Tuch and Jack Quinn also scored for Buffalo, which has won four straight.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen allowed two goals on five shots before leaving with a lower-body injury in the first period. Colten Ellis made 16 saves in relief. Mattias Samuelsson added three assists.

Auston Matthews and Max Domi each had a goal and two assists for Toronto. Bobby McMann, with a goal and an assist, and Matthew Knies also scored. Joseph Woll stopped 24 shots.

The Maple Leafs came home last week off a successful road trip, but finished their disastrous five-game homestand with a solitary point (0-4-1) and have dropped seven of eight overall.

The club entered play six points back of the second wild-card spot and are now eight adrift of the Sabres in the Atlantic Division. The Sabres have an NHL-best 19-3-1 record since Dec. 9.

Former Maple Leaf Darryl Sittler was honored before puck drop in a ceremony marking 50 years since he set an NHL record with 10 points in a game. The former Toronto captain had six goals and four assists in an 11-4 victory over the Boston Bruins on Feb. 7, 1976.

Doan scored his first goal since signing a seven-year contract extension. Doan’s father, Shane, is a special adviser to Toronto general manager Brad Treliving.

Up next

Sabres: Host the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday.

Maple Leafs: At the Seattle Kraken on Thursday in the opener of a six-game trip.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl