The Battle of the QEW resumes Tuesday night at KeyBank Center – and the stakes are higher than in previous years as the Toronto Maple Leafs tangle with the suddenly slumping Buffalo Sabres.
The Maple Leafs have won four consecutive games and can move into sole possession of second overall in the NHL with a victory. The Sabres got off to a sizzling start but come into this one having lost three in a row.
Maple Leafs vs Sabres Betting Analysis
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 4 Dec 3:31pm | TOR | -1.5 +170 | O +6 -125 |
| Closing 4 Dec 11:01pm | TOR | -1.5 +135 | O +6 -140 |
Buffalo is the underdog here, which isn’t much of a surprise given how both teams have played of late. And the chasm is just as pronounced on the offensive end, with the Leafs having scored 20 goals during their winning streak and the Sabres having scored just three times in their past two games. But Buffalo has won six straight home games, and the host team has prevailed in 26 of the previous 34 meetings between the teams.
Toronto has gone from a strong under play earlier in the seasonto a near-lock on the over, and has been especially profitable in that regard when playing on the road. The Leafs are an incredible 17-6-3 O/U in their previous 26 games away from Scotiabank Arena. And while the Sabres have gone below the total in each of their previous four games, the teams have combined to go 5-1 to the over in their last six head-to-head encounters.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Nothing in life and hockey is certain, but the Maple Leafs winning when carrying a lead into the first or second intermission is as close to an automatic lock as you can get. Toronto has an unbelievable success rate when jumping out in front, having gone 12-0-0 when leading after one period and 14-0-0 when ahead after two. The payout might not be a strong one, but bettors should strongly consider taking the Leafs to prevail if they lead at either break.
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Maple Leafs Team Leaders
| Points |
94 |
| + / - |
30 |
| Shots |
286 |
| Penalty Mins |
65 |
| Wins |
36 |
| GAA |
2.64 |
| Points |
82 |
| + / - |
1 |
| Shots |
303 |
| Penalty Mins |
52 |
| Wins |
18 |
| GAA |
3 |
| Points |
6 |
| + / - |
5 |
| Shots |
32 |
| Penalty Mins |
19 |
| Wins |
3 |
| GAA |
2.75 |
| Points | |
| + / - | |
| Shots | Did not qualify |
| Penalty Mins | |
| Wins | |
| GAA |
Buffalo Sabres
You can also point to the Leafs having gone 13-0-0 when scoring first as a major area of concern for the Sabres – but as fate would have it, they’re the only other team in the NHL without a regulation loss when opening the scoring. Buffalo comes into this one having gone 12-0-3 when scoring first, making it quite likely that whichever team jumps ahead 1-0 will go on to win. Bettors should consider this when making their pre-game wagers.
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Sabres Team Leaders
| Points |
94 |
| + / - |
30 |
| Shots |
286 |
| Penalty Mins |
65 |
| Wins |
36 |
| GAA |
2.64 |
| Points |
82 |
| + / - |
1 |
| Shots |
303 |
| Penalty Mins |
52 |
| Wins |
18 |
| GAA |
3 |
| Points |
6 |
| + / - |
5 |
| Shots |
32 |
| Penalty Mins |
19 |
| Wins |
3 |
| GAA |
2.75 |
| Points | |
| + / - | |
| Shots | Did not qualify |
| Penalty Mins | |
| Wins | |
| GAA |
Injuries
Zach Hyman (LW)
Nazem Kadri (C)
Nazem Kadri (C)
Michael Hutchinson (G)
Nazem Kadri (C)
Frederik Andersen (G)
Jake Muzzin (D)
Andreas Johnsson (LW)
Jake Muzzin (D)
Frederik Andersen (G)
Alexander Nylander (RW)
Marco Scandella (D)
Vladimir Sobotka (C)
Evan Rodrigues (LW)
Rasmus Ristolainen (D)
Zach Bogosian (D)
Matt Hunwick (D)
Marco Scandella (D)
Zach Bogosian (D)
Zach Bogosian (D)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zach Hyman (LW) | Prob Fri | Leg - 18 / 04 / 19 | 1-2 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Hyman is nursing a leg injury but is likely to suit up against the Bruins in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Nazem Kadri (C) | Out indefinitely | Suspension - 14 / 04 / 19 | 1-4 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Kadri has been issued a suspension for the remainder of the Eastern Conference first round due to cross-checking an opponent. |
|||||
| Nazem Kadri (C) | day-to-day | Knee - 13 / 04 / 19 | 2-4 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Kadri left Saturday's game with an apparent knee injury and his return is questionable. |
|||||
| Michael Hutchinson (G) | Prob Mon | Personal - 10 / 04 / 19 | 3-4 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Hutchinson was away from the team due to the birth of his child. He is likely to be available for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Bruins. |
|||||
| Nazem Kadri (C) | Out Sat | Undisclosed - 04 / 04 / 19 | 3-6 | 3-6 | + - |
|
Kadri missed the last game due to an unspecified ailment and will not play Saturday against the Canadiens. |
|||||
| Frederik Andersen (G) | Doub Tues | Rest - 02 / 04 / 19 | 3-7 | 3-7 | + - |
|
Andersen is unlikely to take part in Tuesday's matchup against the Hurricanes as he is to be rested. |
|||||
| Jake Muzzin (D) | Prob Thurs | Illness - 02 / 04 / 19 | 3-7 | 3-7 | + - |
|
Muzzin has sat out the last three games of the regular season with an illness but is expected to be ready for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Bruins. |
|||||
| Andreas Johnsson (LW) | Prob Thurs | Illness - 01 / 04 / 19 | 3-8 | 3-8 | + - |
|
Johnsson missed the past two games due to an illness but is projected to play against the Lightning on Thursday. |
|||||
| Jake Muzzin (D) | Prob Mon | Illness - 01 / 04 / 19 | 3-8 | 3-8 | + - |
|
Muzzin is dealing with an illness but is expected to face the Islanders on Monday. |
|||||
| Frederik Andersen (G) | Doub Wed | Rest - 20 / 03 / 19 | 5-11 | 5-11 | + - |
|
Andersen is unlikely to perform in Wednesday's game against the Sabres as he is to be rested. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Nylander (RW) | Ques Sat | Leg - 04 / 04 / 19 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Nylander was held out of the last game with a leg laceration and it is uncertain if he will participate in Saturday's matchup versus the Red Wings. |
|||||
| Marco Scandella (D) | out for season | Lower Body - 30 / 03 / 19 | 2-3 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Scandella is sidelined with a lower-body injury and will miss the remainder of the 2018-19 season. |
|||||
| Vladimir Sobotka (C) | Out Sat | Upper Body - 30 / 03 / 19 | 2-3 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Sobotka has been absent from the lineup during the previous three games with an upper-body injury and will not play in the regular-season finale on Saturday against the Red Wings. |
|||||
| Evan Rodrigues (LW) | Prob Sun | Upper Body - 28 / 03 / 19 | 2-4 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Rodrigues has been absent from the lineup during the last three games due to an upper-body injury but is likely to face the Blue Jackets on Sunday. |
|||||
| Rasmus Ristolainen (D) | Prob Tues | Illness - 26 / 03 / 19 | 2-5 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Ristolainen missed his fourth-straight game with an illness but it is expected he will dress for Tuesday's matchup against the Predators. |
|||||
| Zach Bogosian (D) | Out indefinitely | Lower Body - 24 / 03 / 19 | 2-6 | 4-4 | + - |
|
Bogosian has been idle due to a lower-body injury and there is no telling when he will return to the lineup. |
|||||
| Matt Hunwick (D) | Out indefinitely | Upper Body - 22 / 03 / 19 | 2-7 | 4-5 | + - |
|
Hunwick is sidelined with an upper-body injury and there is no timetable for recovery. |
|||||
| Marco Scandella (D) | Prob Sun | Upper Body - 15 / 03 / 19 | 3-9 | 5-6-1 | + - |
|
Scandella missed the previous game with an upper-body injury but is expected to play against the Blues on Sunday. |
|||||
| Zach Bogosian (D) | Prob Sat | Upper Body - 12 / 03 / 19 | 3-11 | 5-8-1 | + - |
|
Bogosian sat out the last game due to an upper-body injury but will return to face the Hurricanes on Saturday. |
|||||
| Zach Bogosian (D) | Prob Thurs | Lower Body - 04 / 03 / 19 | 4-13 | 8-8-1 | + - |
|
Bogosian sat out the last game due to a lower-body injury but it is expected he will be a participant in Thursday's matchup against the Blackhawks. |
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Maple Leafs vs. Sabres Prediction
-
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
4 -
BUFFALO SABRES
2
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 4 Dec 3:31pm TOR -1.5 +170 O +6 -125 Closing 4 Dec 11:01pm TOR -1.5 +135 O +6 -140 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Maple Leafs Team Leaders
Points 94
+ / - 30
Shots 286
Penalty Mins 65
Wins 36
GAA 2.64
Points 82
+ / - 1
Shots 303
Penalty Mins 52
Wins 18
GAA 3
Points 6
+ / - 5
Shots 32
Penalty Mins 19
Wins 3
GAA 2.75
Points + / - Shots Did not qualify Penalty Mins Wins GAA -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Sabres Team Leaders
Points 94
+ / - 30
Shots 286
Penalty Mins 65
Wins 36
GAA 2.64
Points 82
+ / - 1
Shots 303
Penalty Mins 52
Wins 18
GAA 3
Points 6
+ / - 5
Shots 32
Penalty Mins 19
Wins 3
GAA 2.75
Points + / - Shots Did not qualify Penalty Mins Wins GAA -
Injuries
Zach Hyman (LW)
Prob Fri Leg - 18 / 04 / 19Nazem Kadri (C)
Out indefinitely Suspension - 14 / 04 / 19Nazem Kadri (C)
day-to-day Knee - 13 / 04 / 19Michael Hutchinson (G)
Prob Mon Personal - 10 / 04 / 19Nazem Kadri (C)
Out Sat Undisclosed - 04 / 04 / 19Frederik Andersen (G)
Doub Tues Rest - 02 / 04 / 19Jake Muzzin (D)
Prob Thurs Illness - 02 / 04 / 19Andreas Johnsson (LW)
Prob Thurs Illness - 01 / 04 / 19Jake Muzzin (D)
Prob Mon Illness - 01 / 04 / 19Frederik Andersen (G)
Doub Wed Rest - 20 / 03 / 19Alexander Nylander (RW)
Ques Sat Leg - 04 / 04 / 19Marco Scandella (D)
out for season Lower Body - 30 / 03 / 19Vladimir Sobotka (C)
Out Sat Upper Body - 30 / 03 / 19Evan Rodrigues (LW)
Prob Sun Upper Body - 28 / 03 / 19Rasmus Ristolainen (D)
Prob Tues Illness - 26 / 03 / 19Zach Bogosian (D)
Out indefinitely Lower Body - 24 / 03 / 19Matt Hunwick (D)
Out indefinitely Upper Body - 22 / 03 / 19Marco Scandella (D)
Prob Sun Upper Body - 15 / 03 / 19Zach Bogosian (D)
Prob Sat Upper Body - 12 / 03 / 19Zach Bogosian (D)
Prob Thurs Lower Body - 04 / 03 / 19Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Zach Hyman (LW) Prob Fri Leg - 18 / 04 / 19 1-2 2-1 + - Hyman is nursing a leg injury but is likely to suit up against the Bruins in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Nazem Kadri (C) Out indefinitely Suspension - 14 / 04 / 19 1-4 2-3 + - Kadri has been issued a suspension for the remainder of the Eastern Conference first round due to cross-checking an opponent.
Nazem Kadri (C) day-to-day Knee - 13 / 04 / 19 2-4 2-4 + - Kadri left Saturday's game with an apparent knee injury and his return is questionable.
Michael Hutchinson (G) Prob Mon Personal - 10 / 04 / 19 3-4 3-4 + - Hutchinson was away from the team due to the birth of his child. He is likely to be available for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Bruins.
Nazem Kadri (C) Out Sat Undisclosed - 04 / 04 / 19 3-6 3-6 + - Kadri missed the last game due to an unspecified ailment and will not play Saturday against the Canadiens.
Frederik Andersen (G) Doub Tues Rest - 02 / 04 / 19 3-7 3-7 + - Andersen is unlikely to take part in Tuesday's matchup against the Hurricanes as he is to be rested.
Jake Muzzin (D) Prob Thurs Illness - 02 / 04 / 19 3-7 3-7 + - Muzzin has sat out the last three games of the regular season with an illness but is expected to be ready for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Bruins.
Andreas Johnsson (LW) Prob Thurs Illness - 01 / 04 / 19 3-8 3-8 + - Johnsson missed the past two games due to an illness but is projected to play against the Lightning on Thursday.
Jake Muzzin (D) Prob Mon Illness - 01 / 04 / 19 3-8 3-8 + - Muzzin is dealing with an illness but is expected to face the Islanders on Monday.
Frederik Andersen (G) Doub Wed Rest - 20 / 03 / 19 5-11 5-11 + - Andersen is unlikely to perform in Wednesday's game against the Sabres as he is to be rested.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Alexander Nylander (RW) Ques Sat Leg - 04 / 04 / 19 2-0 1-1 + - Nylander was held out of the last game with a leg laceration and it is uncertain if he will participate in Saturday's matchup versus the Red Wings.
Marco Scandella (D) out for season Lower Body - 30 / 03 / 19 2-3 3-2 + - Scandella is sidelined with a lower-body injury and will miss the remainder of the 2018-19 season.
Vladimir Sobotka (C) Out Sat Upper Body - 30 / 03 / 19 2-3 3-2 + - Sobotka has been absent from the lineup during the previous three games with an upper-body injury and will not play in the regular-season finale on Saturday against the Red Wings.
Evan Rodrigues (LW) Prob Sun Upper Body - 28 / 03 / 19 2-4 3-3 + - Rodrigues has been absent from the lineup during the last three games due to an upper-body injury but is likely to face the Blue Jackets on Sunday.
Rasmus Ristolainen (D) Prob Tues Illness - 26 / 03 / 19 2-5 3-4 + - Ristolainen missed his fourth-straight game with an illness but it is expected he will dress for Tuesday's matchup against the Predators.
Zach Bogosian (D) Out indefinitely Lower Body - 24 / 03 / 19 2-6 4-4 + - Bogosian has been idle due to a lower-body injury and there is no telling when he will return to the lineup.
Matt Hunwick (D) Out indefinitely Upper Body - 22 / 03 / 19 2-7 4-5 + - Hunwick is sidelined with an upper-body injury and there is no timetable for recovery.
Marco Scandella (D) Prob Sun Upper Body - 15 / 03 / 19 3-9 5-6-1 + - Scandella missed the previous game with an upper-body injury but is expected to play against the Blues on Sunday.
Zach Bogosian (D) Prob Sat Upper Body - 12 / 03 / 19 3-11 5-8-1 + - Bogosian sat out the last game due to an upper-body injury but will return to face the Hurricanes on Saturday.
Zach Bogosian (D) Prob Thurs Lower Body - 04 / 03 / 19 4-13 8-8-1 + - Bogosian sat out the last game due to a lower-body injury but it is expected he will be a participant in Thursday's matchup against the Blackhawks.