Greece native Brian Gionta picks up 2 assists in the 4-3 loss to Toronto.
By Dave McCarthy / NHL.com Correspondent
TORONTO, ONTARIO — The Toronto Maple Leafs scored three times in the first 9:45 of the second period and rallied to defeat the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 at Air Canada Centre on Tuesday.
Toronto (21-13-8), which trailed 2-0, won its third straight game.
Buffalo (17-18-9) took a 1-0 lead when Kyle Okposo scored at 10:16 of the first period. He intercepted the puck at the top of the ring-wing circle as Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen tried to advance it. Okposo put it in while Andersen scrambled back into position.
Evander Kane one-timed a pass from Brian Gionta in the slot to put the Sabres ahead 2-0 with 33 seconds left.
The Maple Leafs took a 3-2 lead in the first half of the second period. Leo Komarov deflected a shot from Nazem Kadri at the top of the crease at 32 seconds to make it 3-1; Matt Martin made it 3-2 at 8:29 when he scored from a bad angle after his shot slipped between right arm and chest protector of goalie Robin Lehner; and Auston Matthews scored his 22nd goal of the season 1:16 later to give Toronto the lead.
Lehner allowed three goals on 16 shots before being pulled for Anders Nilsson after Matthews’ goal. Nilsson made 15 saves.
James van Riemsdyk gave Toronto a 4-2 lead at 13:04 of the third period on a power play.
William Carrier made it 4-3 when he batted a waist-high pass from forward Zemgus Girgensons and Gionta with 2:23 left.
Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly left the game after Carrier fell on his right leg at 7:00 of the first period. Rielly returned for one shift but went back to the locker room.