As is customary in preseason, Buffalo was icing a decisively more skilled lineup than the Leafs in their home game of the back to back. With only one regular forward line dressed, the Leafs saw some impressive performances from some on-the-cusp players and youngsters look to make an impression.
After a poor opening shift, the Leafs took control the rest of the first period. The Rychel – Moore – Johnsson line, who impressed all night, started well early as avid forechecking created a quality chance for Moore in front. Five minutes into the first, a disruptive backcheck by Mitch Marner and some skilled neutral zone play by Tyler Bozak led to an odd-man possession in the offensive zone, with Nikita Zaitsev jumping up into the play to receive a cross-ice pass from Bozak.