TORONTO - Forget about the fourth line. Jochen Hecht didn’t have any line early Thursday.

Hecht, in the midst of a poor season, sat the first 10:05 of the Sabres’ 4-1 win over the Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. He eventually found some regular ice time between Adam Mair and Ales Kotalik, skating 12:53.

“It was frustrating sitting there on the bench,” Hecht said. “I didn’t expect that. But after that, I just waited for my opportunity to get out there and do my job.”

The German found himself stuck in coach Lindy Ruff’s doghouse following a poor showing during Tuesday’s 4-2 loss to Washington. Ruff called him out after the game, and then let Hecht pivot the Sabres’ weakest trio during Wednesday’s practice.

Then Ruff hammered home his point a little more to Hecht, who he said played “a little better.”

“Just based on how you’re playing,” Ruff said of his decision to sit Hecht early. “Based on the way he started last game, which was poor. I just think sometimes you have to take a step back and evaluate yourself and say, ‘Boy, I got to be better. If this team’s going to be better, I have to be better.’

“In Jochen’s case, in talking with him, he agrees,” he said. “He’s never gone through something like this.”

- One year ago, the Sabres dropped a 2-1 shootout to Pittsburgh in the Winter Classic at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park. By most accounts, the game, which featured a steady snowfall, other winter aesthetics and a clinching goal from superstar Sidney Crosby, went perfectly.

Tough guy Andrew Peters hoped the NHL would put on the same kind of show for this year’s outdoor game, which Detroit won 6-4 over Chicago on Thursday at Wrigley Field in the Windy City.

“I wouldn’t change anything,” he said. “I think the way they did it was perfect. It was first class all the way - the way they treated the players, the way they treated the families, the way they set up the arena. It was a pretty cool experience.”

- Daniel Paille took a wicked shot from Leafs defensemen Pavel Kubina off the ankle in the first period. The winger stayed down for several moments before getting helped off the ice. He eventually returned in the second period, and then sat again late. He skated 6:06 total.

“Danny will be OK,” Ruff said. “He was pretty sore. (I) gave him a few shifts then decided to keep him off.”

- The Sabres scratched winger Nathan Gerbe, the first time the rookie’s sat while healthy. He played only 8:23 Tuesday, his first game back from an upper body injury. Peters and defensemen Nathan Paetsch also watched (healthy). Paetsch has sat seven straight.

- The other lines Ruff mainly used Thursday: Derek Roy centered Thomas Vanek and Drew Stafford. In addition to Roy’s two goals and three points, both wingers tallied two assists. Paul Gaustad played between Clarke MacArthur and Jason Pominville. Matt Ellis centered Paille and Maxim Afinogenov.

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