Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Buffalo Sabres Prediction, Preview, and Odds
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The Toronto Maple Leafs face the Buffalo Sabres with both teams looking to build off of strong seasons. The Maple Leafs have a 34-15-8 record and are in second place in the Atlantic Division. The Sabres have a 28-22-4 record and with back-to-back wins are in the middle of the Atlantic Division. Both teams look to improve in the division and the Eastern Conference and the upcoming game looks to be a great one as a result.
Maple Leafs have been led by great offense
The Maple Leafs are having a great season with their offense stepping up and scoring 3.40 goals per game including 13 goals in the last three games. Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander have scored 76 goals and 112 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has also been great. John Tavares, Michael Bunting, and Calle Jarnkrok have combined for 55 goals and 67 assists while defensemen Morgan Rielly and Rasmus Sandin have added six goals and 42 assists from the point to open up the offense.
The offense has been great but the defense has also stepped up, allowing only 2.67 goals per game. Mark Giordano and Timothy Liljegren have combined for 7.2 defensive point shares and 177 blocked shots while Rasmus Sandin and Justin Holl have combined for 5.7 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. In addition, goaltender Ilya Samsonov has been great with a .915 save percentage and a 2.38 goals-against average on 768 shots with 7.6 goals saved above average.
Sabres offense has been great
The Sabres are having a great season with their offense leading the way, scoring 3.70 goals per game with 11 goals in the last two games. Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, and Jeff Skinner have scored 83 goals and 100 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has also been great. Dylan Cozens, Casey Mittelstadt, and Victor Olofsson have combined for 52 goals and 61 assists while defensemen Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power have added 18 goals and 61 assists from the point to put the offense over the top.
The offense has been great but the defense has been awful, allowing 3.44 goals per game. Dahlin and Power have combined for 6.6 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net at will. Additionally, goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has struggled with a .897 save percentage and a 3.41 goals-against average on 766 shots with -6.6 goals saved above average.
Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
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The Maple Leafs are having a great season and look to win the upcoming game but the Sabres, who have won back-to-back games, look to step up on their home ice. The Sabres, who average 3.70 goals per game, should find the back of the net at will with Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with great puck movement. The Sabres should limit the Maple Leafs' offense with Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to make plenty of big saves. The Sabres should win the game to win their third in a row and provide great odds in the process as home Underdogs.
Take the Sabres money line as home Underdogs.
Prediction: Sabres (+135)
Full-Game Total Pick
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Both teams have great offenses and the upcoming game should reflect that with both forward units finding the back of the net throughout the game. The Maple Leafs, who average 3.40 goals per game, should find the back of the net at will against the Sabres, who allow 3.44 goals per game, with Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and the rest of the forward unit controlling the puck in the offensive zone and creating open shots with great puck movement. The Sabres, who have scored 11 goals in the last two games, should run up the score with Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, Jeff Skinner, and the rest of the forward unit crashing the net on the rush and creating open shots with effective puck movement while defensemen Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power pick apart the Maple Leafs from the point. The Over should cover in a high-scoring game controlled by both offenses.
Take the Over on 6.5 goals.
Prediction: Over 6.5
Mike Fink is a sports writer and a passionate football fan. After graduating from college, Fink picked up the passion he had since being a young child in following and covering all things sports and we are very excited to have him as a part of the StatSalt team. In recent weeks, Mike started a podcast which you can find on Spotify, called "The Mike and Grover Show" and it discusses all things football. He covers all forms of sports betting and also bets on all of the plays he gives out. Mike would advise hockey betting since the odds give you great payouts "Hockey is built to bet the Money Line Underdogs. Be sure and follow him on a daily basis.
