The game was a missed opportunity for the Sabres both to earn ground on the third-place Maple Leafs in the Atlantic Division and to build on their 4-1 win over Dallas on Monday.
"I think we're skating, we're working, we've just go to find a way to string a few together," Sabres forward Kyle Okposo said. "It's up and down, just win one, lose one, win two, lose two. We've just got to find a way to use [our] speed and just play full 60s."
Toronto's comeback began when Leo Komarov - battling Jake McCabe as he skated in toward the net - was able to get his stick on a shot from Nazem Kadri and deflect it into the net just 32 seconds into the period.
Matt Martin tied the game at the 8:29 mark with a bad-angle shot from the boards that squeaked in between the post and goalie Robin Lehner. Auston Matthews' goal, roofed from the slot after Toronto won a battle behind the net 1:17 later, was the last shot Lehner would face. He finished his night with 13 saves on 16 shots in 27:45 before being replaced by Anders Nilsson
Dan Bylsma said that the decision to pull Lehner was based more on the timing of the Maple Leafs' goals more than any other factor. Lehner's frustration with the decision was visible as he yelled while making his way back to the bench.