Maple Leafs, Sabres split as Tavares nets 499th in OT, Woll returns

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres split a two-game set over the weekend, with Buffalo taking a 5-3 win in Buffalo on Friday night and Toronto answering with a 4-3 overtime victory at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday. Friday’s game featured a host of consequential developments for the Maple Leafs, including the announced return of goaltender Joseph Woll from a monthlong personal leave, while Saturday's result carried the added milestone of John Tavares scoring his 499th career goal in overtime.

In Buffalo, the Sabres built a 4-2 lead before Alex Tuch capped the victory with a shorthanded breakaway goal with just over three minutes remaining in regulation, sealing the 5-3 final. Defenseman Mattias Samuelsson recorded his first multigoal game, and Tage Thompson added a second-period goal to strengthen Buffalo’s advantage. Goaltender Alex Lyon made 31 saves. Toronto starter Anthony Stolarz finished with 25 saves. The Leafs outshot Buffalo 34-30.

Coach Craig Berube and players welcomed news that Woll, who had been away from the team since September 23 for personal reasons, had resumed on-ice activities and rejoined the club in Buffalo. Berube said the team was “so happy to have...