Sabres – Maple Leafs Rivalry Percolates After Shutout Loss

Predominately pro-Toronto crowd created away game atmosphere for Buffalo

There is nothing that annoys Buffalo Sabres fans more than Toronto Maple Leafs fans invading Key Bank Center every time their Atlantic Division rival travels down the QEW.

Even through all-to-frequent years of disappointment, Buffalo fans have enjoyed sending Blue and White fans home with a frown on their face most of the time, because the rivalry has always seemed to be one-sided (Buffalo’s record against Toronto all-time is 68-35-6-6).

The Leafs 3-0 victory on Saturday may be a sign of a new level of vitriol between the two clubs. The Leafs responded to the 9-3 beatdown in Buffalo on December 21 by frustrating the Sabres, killing off six power-play chances and with goalie Ilya Samsonov stopping 34 Buffalo shots for the shutout.

The frustration level boiled over late in the third period, after Auston Matthews scored his league-leading 60^th goal iced the game, as Sabres winger Alex Tuch slammed Toronto defenseman TJ Brodie into the boards. Leafs players responded and after a lengthy skirmish, all 10 skaters were given 10-minute misconducts.

A normally 50-50 crowd for a Sabres – Leafs game was decidedly pro-Toronto on Saturday, something that winger Alex Tuch said was not a factor, but was understandable based on Buffalo being nearly eliminated from the playoffs.

"We haven't been that great at home, we've been better on the road this year. So it didn't really affect us." Tuch said after the game. "I think we just went out there to try to play our game and get momentum with each other with everybody in the locker room. Obviously, we have to try to get the fans back in here and support us."

The Sabres continue their five-game homestand on Tuesday against Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals.

LATEST THN BUFFALO STORIES

The Sabres Decision That Has Paid Immediate Dividends

Where Are The Sabres Going?