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Andrew Rogers
Buffalo Sabres vs. Toronto Maple Leafs: NHL Odds, Prediction
Having officially locked down third place in the Atlantic Division, the Toronto Maple Leafs have nothing left to play for over the final three games of the regular season – but oddsmakers don’t think that will make any difference as the Leafs host the Buffalo Sabres on Monday night.
Sabres vs Maple Leafs Betting Analysis
With the Maple Leafs presently sitting 39 points ahead of the Sabres in the Atlantic Division standings, there’s little that either team could do to sway oddsmakers off of Toronto as an overwhelming favorite. The Leafs come in having won 13 of the previous 17 head-to-head meetings at Air Canada Centre, and have won 14 of 16 at home overall, though one of those two defeats in that span came at the hands of the Sabres a week ago.
Both teams come in representing divergent totals trends. The Sabres have gone below the total in 15 of their previous 22 games against Atlantic Division opponents, but are 6-2 O/U in their last eight road games against teams above .600 at home. Toronto has gone beyond the number in eight of its past 10 games against Eastern Conference foes, but is 0-6 O/U the previous six times it has wrapped up a stretch of three games in four days.
Buffalo Sabres
Give the Sabres credit for refusing to go quietly, as they come off a stunning 7-4 victory over the NHL-leading Predators in Nashville. Jack Eichel had a career-high five assists in the win, which came despite Buffalo entering the game as a +267 underdog; it’s the second game in a row the Sabres have prevailed as a considerable ‘dog, following their 3-2 win over Toronto at +276. Buffalo hosts Ottawa on Wednesday before finishing the season at Tampa Bay and Florida.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Mike Babcock hasn’t said whether he will give any of his young forwards a breather ahead of the start of the postseason, but he’s clear about how he’ll treat his goaltending. Frederik Andersen will see work down the stretch, as Babcock believes his veteran netminder needs to remain in the groove in order to be successful. Toronto will look to kick an ugly early-week trend that has seen it drop six of its last eight games played on a Monday.
