Buffalo Sabres vs Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction, 3/6/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs Toronto Maple Leafs

Date: Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Location: Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON

TV: Sportsnet

Odds/Point Spread: Sabres (+150) Maple Leafs (-186)

The Buffalo Sabres (29-29-4) are hitting the road to Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday where they will take on the Toronto Maple Leafs (35-18-8). The moneyline on this contest has Buffalo at +150 and Toronto is sitting at -186. The betting total is set at 7.

The Buffalo Sabres will look to clean up some issues after taking a 5-2 loss to the Jets in their previous game. Buffalo amassed 4 penalty minutes in this matchup. The Sabres had a rough night on the offensive side of the ice in the loss. In addition, they had 2 opportunities with more players on the ice and netted 1 goal. In the game, they converted 2 of the 19 shots they put on goal.

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Concerning their goal scoring prowess, the Buffalo Sabres have racked up 182 goals (21st in the league) over the course of the season and have allowed 186. For the year, they sit with 62 points and their points percentage is .500. Buffalo has accumulated 177 power play opportunities and they have tallied 30 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a rate of 16.95%. While playing at even strength, the Sabres have conceded 146 goals while getting 152 on the offensive side of the ice. Buffalo has tried 1,948 shots and is the owner of a shot percentage of 9.3%. The Sabres thus far have had 1,807 shots taken against them and have earned a save percentage of .897. Buffalo Sabres opponents have 189 power play opportunities (16th in pro hockey) and have a total of 40 goals in those chances.

The man protecting the goal in this game is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. In his career, Luukkonen has compiled 44 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .550. His save percentage currently is at .904 for his 4,802 minutes between the pipes. Luukkonen has seen 2,510 shots against him and has garnered 2,269 saves. Opponents have been able to score 241 goals against Luukkonen in his professional career and his goals against rate is 3.01. He has amassed an overall record of 39-35-8 and was named the starter in 80 games. Luukkonen has participated in 84 games during his hockey career.

In their last contest, Toronto squared up with the Bruins in an outing where the Maple Leafs went home in defeat by a final score of 4-1. The Maple Leafs converted 1 goal out of the 33 shots on goal they attempted. They had 4 attempts on the power play in this outing but weren't able to notch a goal.

The Maple Leafs have earned 172 goals at even strength and 48 goals (7th in pro hockey) while on the power play. Toronto has attempted 2,009 shots (4th in hockey) and has a shooting percentage of 10.95%, while allowing their opponents 1,821 shots. For the season, the Toronto Maple Leafs have notched a total of 220 goals, 78 points, and a points percentage of .639. They have allowed 193 goals to be scored by way of 156 goals at even strength and 37 goals while they were shorthanded. They have earned 173 chances on the power play and they have a power play percentage of 27.75%. They have a penalty kill rate of 77.71% on their opponents 166 power play tries, and their save percentage currently sits at 89.4%.

Across the rink you will find Ilya Samsonov defending the net. He has a tally of 3,832 saves out of the 4,241 shots taken, giving him a save % of .904. Samsonov is sitting with a career record of 94-37-19 and has participated in 159 contests. He has started in 147 contests and his ice time sits at 8,919 mins. Samsonov's quality start rate comes out to 49.0% and he has qualified for 72 quality starting assignments in his career. Teams are averaging 2.75 goals per game and he has conceded 409 goals altogether.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony's Pick: Take Buffalo (+150)

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