Sheldon Keefe took at least one positive from Tuesday — the Maple Leafs have seen the last of their closest geographic rival this season.
Tage Thompson had a goal and an assist as the Buffalo Sabres downed the disinterested Leafs 5-2 to take the season series 3-1-0 against a playoff-bound opponent that began the night 37 points clear in the standings.
Performances like Tuesday are also the reason Toronto is no longer realistically in the race for first in the Atlantic Division with the Florida Panthers. "You've got to keep it in perspective," Granato said. "This sport, it could go the other way. I'm not going to sit here and say we did anything to the Leafs.Timothy Liljegren and Alexander Kerfoot replied Toronto . Morgan Rielly chipped in with two assists to give him a career-high 53 on the year. Erik Kallgren stopped 23 shots.
Matthews had found the back of the net a franchise-record 58 times this season coming into Tuesday, but just once against the Sabres. Looking to become just the third NHLer to reach 60 goals since 1995-96, Matthews had a couple chances as the period wore on, but Anderson shut the door at every turn.