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THE CANADIAN PRESS

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TORONTO - Up 3-0 after 20 strong minutes of hockey, Saturday's 6-1 shellacking from the Montreal Canadiens well back in the rear-view mirror, the Toronto Maple Leafs seemed to be sitting pretty Monday afternoon.

Then came a bad bounce that led to a goal and a careless boarding penalty by repeat offender Ryan Hollweg in the first three minutes of the second period, and suddenly the St. Louis Blues were back in it.

By the time all was said and done, the Maple Leafs found themselves settling for a single point in the standings after a tough-to-take 5-4 shootout loss, clinging to moral victories after letting an actual victory slip away.

So while there was much to like in the way they played before 19,045 in the rare afternoon affair on Thanksgiving Day at the Air Canada Centre, there was plenty to dislike, too.

"We came out really strong, put them down on their butts and we talked during the first intermission that we have to come out really hard and the first five minutes was important," said Leafs centre Nik Antropov, who collected two assists. "Unfortunately, we get a bad bounce, a penalty for five minutes, and they capitalized on that." Elsewhere:

Sabres 7, Islanders 1

At Uniondale, Thomas Vanek scored twice, including a short-handed goal to help the Sabres beat the New York Islanders 7-1.

"That was my first short-handed goal at any level of hockey," Vanek said. "It was good."

Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said he made a deal with Vanek before the season started.

"I told him if he worked hard and kept his legs moving, he would see penalty-killing time," Ruff said. "My goal is to make him the best two-way player in hockey, and he has the potential to do that."

Ales Kotalik and Jason Pominville each had a goal and two assists. Jochen Hecht, Adam Mair and Clarke MacArthur also scored for the Sabres, who are 2-0-0 to start the season. Three of Buffalo's goals came on the power play.

Patrick Lalime got the start instead of Ryan Miller and made 23 saves.

"I knew two days ago I was starting today," Lalime said. "It's nice to get in there, and when I get the call, I'll make the best of it."

Trent Hunter scored for New York.

The Islanders allowed 11 power plays to Buffalo.