Leafs Struggle as Goaltending, Defense Falter

The Toronto Maple Leafs are navigating early-season adversity after a string of losses, with troubling defensive play and goaltending issues: Anthony Stolarz has a .894 save percentage and Auston Matthews has struggled to find a consistent right-wing partner. Chris Tanev is listed as questionable after a net-front head shot, and special teams have lagged — the Leafs rank 27th on the power play and 13th on the penalty kill — prompting scrutiny of William Nylander and renewed discussion about adding a top-six forward. The Buffalo Sabres have rebounded from an 0-3 start to win four of five and beat Toronto 5-3 on Friday, with Mattias Samuelsson scoring twice and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen a candidate to start after returning from injury. The Vancouver Canucks return home Oct. 25 shorthanded, with Filip Chytil, Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Teddy Blueger and Nils Höglander injured, newcomer Sasson centering the second line and Thatcher Demko expected to start after a 33-save outing. Quinn Hughes is being leaned on for more offense as Elias Pettersson seeks to regain his scoring touch.