Buffalo Sabres vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction, Preview, and Odds
The Buffalo Sabres face the Toronto Maple Leafs with both teams on opposite ends of the Atlantic Division to start the season. The Sabres have a 5-5 record which is the second-worst in the Atlantic Division while the Maple Leafs have a 5-3-2 record which is third-best in the division. Both teams look to improve within the division and the Eastern Conference and the upcoming game should be a great one as a result.
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Sabres hope offense turns season around
The Sabres got off to a rough start but are looking to turn things around with their offense stepping up and scoring 3.20 goals per game. Tage Thompson and Jeff Skinner have scored 10 goals and nine assists to lead the top line but the rest of the offense has been great as well. Casey Mittelstadt, Dylan Cozens, and Alex Tuch have combined for seven goals and 16 assists while defensemen Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power have added three goals and 12 assists from the point to open up the offense.
The offense has been great but the defense has also stepped up, allowing only 2.90 goals per game. Owen Power and Henri Jokiharju have combined for 1.9 defensive point shares and 30 blocked shots while Rasmus Dahlin and Mattias Samuelsson have combined for 1.1 defensive point shares to give the Sabres two reliable defensive pairings. In addition, goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has stepped up with a .926 save percentage and a 2.60 goals-against average on 122 shots with 2.4 goals saved above average.
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Maple Leafs are led by great offense
The Maple Leafs are off to a great start with their offense leading the way, scoring 3.10 goals per game. Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and John Tavares have scored 19 goals and 19 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has been great as well. Mitch Marner, Matthew Knies, and Calle Jarnkrok have combined for six goals and 11 assists while defensemen Morgan Rielly and John Klingberg have added two goals and 10 assists to put the offense over the top.
The offense has been great but the defense has struggled, allowing 3.00 goals per game including three goals in their recent defeat. Morgan Rielly and T.J. Brodie have combined for 1.6 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net with ease. The bright spot has been the play of goaltender Joseph Woll who has a .942 save percentage and a 1.89 goals-against average on 154 shots with 5.4 goals saved above average.
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Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
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The Sabres have looked promising in recent games and could easily pull off the upset. The problem is that the Maple Leafs are having a great season and look to bounce back from a rough loss and control this game. The Maple Leafs should create plenty of scoring chances with Auston Matthews, John Tavares, and the rest of the forward unit establishing a strong offensive zone presence and creating open shots with great puck movement. The Maple Leafs look to bounce back after allowing three goals in their last game and limit the Sabres offense with Morgan Rielly, T.J. Brodie, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Joseph Woll to make plenty of big saves. The Maple Leafs should win the game and cover the spread in a dominant win at home.
Prediction: Maple Leafs -1.5 (+110)
Full-Game Total Pick
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Both teams have great offenses that look to step up and constantly find the back of the net. The Sabres, who average 3.20 goals per game, should create plenty of scoring chances with Tage Thompson, Jeff Skinner, and the rest of the forward unit controlling the puck in the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Maple Leafs, who average 3.10 goals per game, should run up the score with Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, and the rest of the forward unit crashing the net on the rush and creating open shots with effective puck movement while John Klingberg and Morgan Rielly generate shots on the net from the blue line. The Over should cover in a high-scoring game with both offenses stepping up.
Take the Over on 6.5 goals.
Prediction: Over 6.5
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