One year ago tonight, Ted Nolan made his return as the bench boss of the Buffalo Sabres. That night, his charges beat the Leafs 3-1. Tonight, on his anniversary, his Sabres put an even bigger hammer down on the Toronto Maple Leafs with a 6-2 victory.

PHOTO CREDIT - NHL.com

Windsor - November 16, 2014 - One year ago tonight, Ted Nolan made his return as the bench boss of the Buffalo Sabres. That night, his charges beat the Leafs 3-1. Tonight, on his anniversary, his Sabres put an even bigger hammer down on the boys in blue with a 6-2 victory.

Sabres goalie Michal Neuvirth set the tone early in the game when he stoned Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf’s point blank shot. Neuvirth’s play clearly inspired his teammates, and after a power play goal by Tyler Ennis and a shorthanded goal by Zemgus Girgensons the Sabres took a 2-0 lead into the dressing room after one period.

After a Drew Stafford goal made it 3-0 Sabres, David Clarkson put the Leafs on the board when he deflected a Cody Franson point shot. The excitement was short lived, as sixteen seconds later Matt Moulson converted a beautiful pass from Tyler Ennis. Phil Kessel then scored for the Leafs and the teams left the ice with the score 4-2 Buffalo after two periods.

In the third, Tyler Myers made it 5-2 Sabres, and Girgensons scored his second of the game to put the Leafs away. This was a game that Leafs goalie James Reimer will want to forget about as badly as Neuvirth will want to remember. Reimer struggled from the first face-off, and should have been pulled, because it was clear to anyone watching that this was not a good night for him.

At the other end, the Leafs couldn’t solve Neuvirth. And let’s give credit where credit is due. The Sabres took full advantage of it.

At the rate they’re going on Nolan’s anniversary, next Nov 15th the Sabres will beat the Leafs 9-3. You read it here first.

TC out.