Casey Mittelstadt signs a 3-year, entry-level contract with Buffalo.
By Dave McCarthy / NHL.com Correspondent
TORONTO, ONT. — The Buffalo Sabres rallied for a 3-2 victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre on Monday, ending Toronto’s home winning streak at 13.
The Maple Leafs (45-23-7), who trail the Boston Bruins by seven points for second place in the Atlantic Division, had not lost at home since Jan. 22. The 13-game streak was the longest in the NHL this season.
Jack Eichel scored two goals, Zemgus Girgensons had two assists, and Chad Johnson made 39 saves for the Sabres (24-40-12), who ended a four-game losing streak.
Eichel and Casey Nelson scored goals 1:41 apart in the third period to give Buffalo the lead.
Nazem Kadri and Patrick Marleau scored, and Frederik Andersen made 24 saves for the Maple Leafs (45-24-7), who are 6-2-0 in their past eight games.
The Sabres tied it 2-2 when Nelson scored from the point at 7:56 of the third period. Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock challenged for goaltender interference, but the goal was upheld after video review.
Eichel put Buffalo ahead 3-2 at 9:37 when he put a backhand shot between Andersen’s pads.
Toronto scored twice in 71 seconds to take the lead in the second period.
Kadri took a pass from Mitchell Marner, from behind the net and shot from the slot to tie it 1-1 at 17:31. It was Kadri’s 30th goal, giving him his second consecutive 30-goal season.
Marleau made it 2-1 at 18:42 when he put in a cross-ice pass from Auston Matthews at the top of the crease on the power play.
The Sabres went up 1-0 at 3:23 of the first period when Eichel took a pass from Girgensons and cut across the crease to put it past Andersen’s left pad.
Mittelstadt signs
The Buffalo Sabres on Monday announced forward Casey Mittelstadt has agreed to terms on a 3-year, entry-level contract.
Mittelstadt (19, 6-foot-1, 201 lbs.) recently completed his freshman season at the University of Minnesota, earning a spot on the Big 10 All-Freshman Team after recording 30 points (11+19) in 34 games for the Golden Gophers.
The Minnesota native also helped lead the United States to a bronze medal at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship in Buffalo this season, earning tournament MVP honors after tying for the tournament lead with 11 points (4+7) in 7 games.
Mittelstadt was selected by the Sabres in the first round (eighth overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft. He was expected to join the team either Tuesday or Wednesday.