John Tavares scored twice as part of a second-period outburst and added an empty netter for his 14th career hat trick as the Toronto Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 deficit to pick up a 5-3 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday.

John Tavares scored a natural hat trick with three straight goals -- two of them 1:10 apart in the second period -- and the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the visiting Buffalo Sabres 5-3 on Sunday night.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares is a player many say has hit a decline despite continuously posting impressive stats.