The Toronto Maple Leafs played host to the Buffalo Sabres Wednesday night in what some fans were calling the Battle For McDavid. C’mon folks, if you think the Leafs have any chance of landing the Erie Otters wunderkind, give your head a shake. It’s not going to happen. The best we can hope for is a top five pick, and that’s ok with me. Tonight’s game wasn’t the Battle For McDavid, it was the Battle Of The Abysmal.

PHOTO CREDIT - NHL.com

Windsor - March 12, 2015 - The Toronto Maple Leafs played host to the Buffalo Sabres Wednesday night in what some fans were calling the Battle For McDavid. C’mon folks, if you think the Leafs have any chance of landing the Erie Otters wunderkind, give your head a shake. It’s not going to happen. The best we can hope for is a top five pick, and that’s ok with me. Tonight’s game wasn’t the Battle For McDavid, it was the Battle Of The Abysmal. In what’s become a train wreck of a season, going into Wednesday’s game the Leafs had five wins in their last twenty nine games, while the Sabres were modestly better at 5 for 28.

Earlier in the day, the Leafs announced that forward Nazem Kadri would not play the next two games due to a team disciplinary suspension. As the hockey world knows by now, Kadri was late for a team meeting last Sunday and was a healthy scratch for the Islanders game Monday night. Leafs president Brendan Shanahan made it known that Kadri would miss the next two games as well, for ongoing off-ice issues. Saying that Kadri is “an important part of the future” of the Leafs, Shanny sent a message to the young winger that not towing the line won’t be tolerated, and that Kadri “needs to grow up”. Kudos to Shanahan, but I can’t wait to see how this all plays out at contract time.

As for the game, Sabres forward Johan Larsson took advantage of a Dion Phaneuf giveaway and put his club up 1-0 at 6:52 of the first period. The Leafs tied it on a Brandon Kozun goal, and twenty one seconds later took the lead when Leo Komarov tipped in a point shot to put the Buds up 2-1. Two minutes later, another Leafs gaffe - this time by Joffrey Lupul, led to a Tyler Ennis goal and the period ended with the teams tied 2-2. Matt Moulson scored the only goal of the second period, and in the third it was Tyler Bozak tipping in a Phil Kessel shot to set the stage for overtime. The goalies were brilliant in OT. Bernier and Lindback turned back everything directed their way. In the shootout, the only goal scored was by Bozak, and the Leafs got a much needed 4-3 win.

Marlies defenseman Andrew McWilliam was called up for his first NHL game and recorded an assist on the first Leafs goal.

Detroit Red Wings brass was spotted at the ACC for the second time in a week, leading to speculation that the Dion Phaneuf to the Wings deal may still be very much alive.

Next up for the Buds is a western road trip, with stops in Calgary on Friday the 13th, Vancouver on Saturday, and Edmonton on Monday.

TC out.