The Buffalo Sabres will play the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday night at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario. Let’s take a look at the Sabres preview, Maple Leafs preview, betting matchup, and the Sabres vs Maple Leafs prediction.
Sabres Preview
The Buffalo Sabres are 29-29-4 this year after they lost to Winnipeg by a score of 5-2 in their last game. Buffalo led 2-1 heading into the third period, but they allowed the last four goals in the game for the loss. The Sabres were out shot by a total of 35-19 and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. Buffalo defeated Vegas by a score of 7-2 and Tampa Bay by a score of 3-2 in the two games prior to Winnipeg. The Sabres are scoring 2.94 goals per game and they are allowing 3.00 goals against per game, while going 16.9% on the power play and 78.8% on the penalty kill. Casey Mittelstadt has led Buffalo with 14 goals, 33 assists, and 102 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Buffalo is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who is 19-16-2 this year with a 2.46 goals against average and a .914 save percentage. The Sabres will meet the Predators, Oilers, and Red Wings after this one.
Maple Leafs Preview
The Toronto Maple Leafs are 35-18-8 this season after they lost to Boston by a score of 4-1 in their last game. Toronto cut the deficit to 3-1 early in the third period, but couldn’t get any closer for the loss. The Maple Leafs out shot Boston by a total of 33-27 and went 0-4 on the power play in the game. Toronto defeated the Rangers by a score of 4-3 and the Coyotes by a score of 4-2 in the two games prior to Boston. The Maple Leafs are scoring 3.61 goals per game and they are allowing 3.16 goals against per game, while going 27.7% on the power play and 77.7% on the penalty kill. William Nylander has led Toronto with 33 goals, 50 assists, and 248 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Toronto is Ilya Samsonov, who is 15-5-6 this year with a 3.23 goals against average and a .883 save percentage.
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Toronto Maple Leafs Team Facts
- The Maple Leafs have lost each of their last five games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Maple Leafs have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last 22 games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The underdogs have won the third period in seven of the last eight games between the Sabres and Maple Leafs.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Maple Leafs’ last 15 games.
Buffalo Sabres Team Facts
- The Sabres have won seven of their last eight games as underdogs following a loss.
- The Sabres have covered the puck line in 13 of their last 14 games as underdogs following a home loss.
- The Sabres have won the third period in eight of their last nine night games against the Maple Leafs following a loss.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last six games at Scotiabank Arena against opponents on a winning streak.
Sabres vs Maple Leafs Betting Prediction
Toronto has dropped two of their last four games, but they are still one of the hottest teams in the NHL over the last few weeks. The Maple Leafs are 17-12-2 at home, while Buffalo is 15-12-3 on the road. The Sabres have been playing their best hockey of the season, but they are coming off of a loss to Winnipeg. Toronto is definitely the better offensive team in this matchup and while I don’t like how they played against Boston, I think they will bounce back here. Take the Leafs to win by at least two goals.