The Buffalo Sabres were trying to do whatever it took to end their 11-game losing streak, and that meant going after Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews. The Buffalo Sabres entered Friday night's matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs desperate to snap their 11-game losing streak. Unfortunately for Buffalo, the night didn't go according to plan, extending the streak to 12 games. <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/toronto-maple-leafs/toronto-maple-leafs-benefit-from-controversial-call-made-by-the-referees-against-the-buffalo-sabres' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>The first period set the tone with the Sabres falling behind 2-0</a> and having one potential goal waved off. If that wasn't enough, they even came out on the wrong end of a physical altercation. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1870295910766264629'> </a></blockquote></div> The physicality got ramped up late in the first when Tage Thompson seemed poised to give his team some spark thanks to a thunderous hit on Leafs captain Auston Matthews at center ice. But defenseman Morgan Rielly came to the defense of his teammate, taking on the 6'6 Tage Thompson in a fight. Outsized, Morgan <a href='https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/nhl/news-clean-hit-no-need-fight-nhl-fans-react-morgan-rielly-dropping-gloves-tage-thompson-hit-auston-matthews' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Rielly held his own and came out on top in the scrap</a>. It didn't go unnoticed as a grateful Auston Matthews made sure to thank Rielly as he made his way to the penalty box. A great moment of team sportsmanship seen for Toronto. <a href='https://x.com/spittinchiclets/status/1870267245177233494' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>You can watch the hit on Auston Matthews and the subsequent fight here</a> The game also marked the season debut of Leafs goalie Matt <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/toronto-maple-leafs/brad-treliving-has-just-exploited-a-massive-nhl-loophole-which-might-allow-matt-murray-to-start-tonight' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Murray, called up from the AHL's Marlies</a> after an injury to Anthony Stolarz. There were a couple of goals Matt <a href='https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/player/matt-murray-8476899' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Murray</a> might want back, but on the whole, he did a fine job and got the most important result of the night: a win for the Leafs.