In likely what was their best opening 20 minutes of the season the Buffalo Sabres opened up a 3-0 lead on the Toronto Maple Leafs and held on for a 3-1 win Saturday night in Toronto.  Evander Kane scored twice to up his team-leading goal total to 18, Sam Reinhart scored on the power play and Jack Eichel assisted on all three goals.

At the other end of the ice Robin Lehner stopped 43 of 44 shots to earn Buffalo's first win in three tries against the Leafs this season.  The two teams meet twice more this season in Buffalo.

The Sabres improve to 3-1-2 in their last six games and with the victory moves Buffalo to within five points of Toronto for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.  The Sabres continue their stretch of five games in seven days when they host the Vancouver Canucks Sunday night in Buffalo.

More From 106.5 WYRK