Sport News : Vanek fires Sabres to victory over Maple Leafs

Vanek was sent in on a breakaway by Derek Roy, who was also playing his 500th game, and calmly slapped a shot through the legs of Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer.

There was no sign of the drama to come after the teams were goalless following an uneventful first period, but they then combined for six goals in the second period following a number of powerplays.

Toronto's Joffrey Lupul and Dion Phaneuf scored goals either side of a powerplay effort by Buffalo's Drew Stafford to put the Maple Leafs 2-1 up.

However, the Sabres struck back with a goal from Vanek and powerplay scores by Tyler Ennis and Andrej Sekera to open up a 4-2 advantage as Phaneuf was ejected for hitting Zack Kassian from behind into the boards.

"Our power play made the difference tonight," Vanek told reporters. "Some nights it's n ot as good and tonight it made the difference. That's what you want."

Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson bemoaned his side's ill-discipline.

"If we'd have stayed out of the box, we were playing really well. We've taken far too many penalties in the last two or three weeks. Our penalty killers are taking penalties. It doesn't really give your team a chance," Wilson said.

Toronto's Nikolai Kulemin then scored on a penalty shot midway through the third period to cut the lead to 4-3 but Vanek scored the clincher and the Sabres hung on despite Mikhail Grabovski pulling the Maple Leafs to within one goal to set-up a tense finale.