Game 66: The return of Alex Tuch

The Sabres power forward, out since sustaining a lower-body injury Feb. 24, showed why he is vital to their success in a 4-3 win on the road in Toronto.

Alex Tuch speaks with Sportsnet’s Shawn McKenzie after the Sabres’ 4-3 win against Toronto. (Photo: Joe Yerdon)

TORONTO — After a string of four straight losses, including a pair of games you could argue they should’ve/could’ve won, the Sabres got on the right end of the decision with a 4-3 win against the rival Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena.

As if there wasn’t enough drama with the Sabres’ pursuit of the playoffs, business picked up with the return of Alex Tuch to the lineup. Tuch returned to the top line with Tage Thompson and Jeff Skinner and to make way for him to get back in, Victor Olofsson (one goal and four points the past 17 games) was a healthy scratch. It was also their first game after the team said defenseman Mattias Samuelsson and goalie Eric Comrie would be out week-to-week with injuries.

Intrigue abounded and in the end the Sabres ended their losing streak and got back to feeling good thanks to the efforts of a wide cast of characters. But it wouldn’t be a vital Sabres win without even more spice to the mix. The Leafs got out to a 2-0 lead in the second period after goals from Auston Matthews and Calle Järnkrok.

Toronto had a 15-4 advantage in shots on goal after Järnkrok’s tally, but that moment seemed to flip a switch for Buffalo.