The Buffalo Sabres are riding an 11-game winless skid, but things won't get any easier on Friday when they host the Atlantic Division-leading Toronto Maple Leafs.
Buffalo has to be at rock bottom at this point. A closed door meeting with the owner of the team early Tuesday in Montreal did nothing to help the Sabres, who went on to be blown out 6-1 for their 11th straight loss.
Toronto is coming in with a much better feeling. The Leafs won 5-3 in Dallas on Wednesday and now sit at the top of the Atlantic Division standings.
Toronto is a -160 favourite to win on the NHL odds, with the total set at 6.0.
Maple Leafs vs. Sabres NHL Betting Odds
The Maple Leafs have won the last three games in this head-to-head series, including a 5-3 victory this past Sunday. Toronto trailed 2-0 early, but a John Tavares hat trick powered the Buds’ successful comeback.
It’s about as ugly as it can get in Buffalo right now. The Sabres have lost 11 straight games overall, seven straight at home and eight straight against Eastern Conference opponents. The one ray of hope they have on Friday is the fact the Leafs are just 5-6-2 on the road this season compared to 14-4 at home.
Toronto has been a better cover option this year at 19-13 against the spread, while Buffalo is 15-17 ATS. However, the Maple Leafs are just 6-7 ATS on the road, while the Sabres are an even 9-9 ATS at home.
These teams trend toward higher scoring games when they face each other, with the Over hitting in six of the last seven head-to-heads played in Buffalo. The Leafs have also hit the Over in five of their last seven road dates, while Buffalo has hit the Over in four of their last six overall.
Toronto Maple Leafs
William Nylander scored twice, while Nick Robertson had a goal and an assist against Dallas as Toronto picked up their fourth win in five games. Max Domi and Bobby McMann also found the back of the net and Joseph Woll made 36 saves on 39 shots. Domi only has two goals on the year, but they’ve come in the Leafs’ last two games and he also sports a plus-five rating in that span. Woll improved to 9-4-0 with a 2.30 goals-against average and .918 save percentage this season.
With Anothony Stolarz set to miss about a month of action, Toronto called up Matt Murray from the AHL Marlies on Thursday. The Leafs have a back-to-back on Friday and Saturday (Islanders), so there is a real chance Murray could play one of those games. The two-time Stanley Cup winner missed essentially all of last season with a hip injury, but he’s looked good early this year. Murray, who pitched a 27-save shutout for the Marlies on Wednesday, has a 4-1-2 record in the AHL this year with a stellar 1.85 GAA and .931 SV. It’s unknown who will start on Friday between Murray, Woll and Dennis Hildeby (2-1-0, 368 GAA, .875 SV).
Buffalo Sabres
If Sabres owner Terry Pegula thought addressing the team would light a fire under them, he was dead wrong. Buffalo came out flat in Montreal and didn’t record their first shot of the game until 10:05 into the first period when the Canadiens already had nine shots and two goals. The 6-1 rout was Buffalo’s 11th loss since November 27. The Sabres haven’t won a game since November 23 and now sit dead last in the Eastern Conference.
There’s a lot to pick on when it comes to Buffalo’s play, but for this game let’s focus on their atrocious special teams play. The Sabres ranks 30th in the NHL on the power play, converting on just 13.8 per cent of opportunities, and their 77.4 per cent success rate on the penalty kill is 22nd. To pile on to Buffalo’s misery, they only have one player who has hit double-digit goals this season, Tage Thompson at 16.
NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Maple Leafs vs. Sabres?
-
MAPLE LEAFS
4 -
SABRES
3
Score
Prediction
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 20 Dec 1:04pm | - | - | O +6 -115 |
| Closing 21 Dec 2:04am | - | - | O +8.5 -135 |
- Regular Season
Maple Leafs Team Leaders
| Points |
80 |
| + / - |
21 |
| Shots |
213 |
| Penalty Mins |
49 |
| Wins |
22 |
| GAA |
2.37 |
| Points |
58 |
| + / - |
12 |
| Shots |
181 |
| Penalty Mins |
55 |
| Wins |
21 |
| GAA |
3.19 |
- Regular Season
Sabres Team Leaders
| Points |
80 |
| + / - |
21 |
| Shots |
213 |
| Penalty Mins |
49 |
| Wins |
22 |
| GAA |
2.37 |
| Points |
58 |
| + / - |
12 |
| Shots |
181 |
| Penalty Mins |
55 |
| Wins |
21 |
| GAA |
3.19 |
Injuries
Steven Lorentz (C)
Joseph Woll (G)
Max Pacioretty (LW)
Conor Timmins (D)
Oliver Ekman-Larsson (D)
Matthew Knies (LW)
Connor Dewar (C)
Max Pacioretty (LW)
John Tavares (C)
Jake McCabe (D)
JJ Peterka (RW)
Jiri Kulich (C)
Jordan Greenway (LW)
Jack Quinn (RW)
Jason Zucker (LW)
Jason Zucker (LW)
Alex Tuch (RW)
Dylan Cozens (C)
Beck Malenstyn (LW)
Mattias Samuelsson (D)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steven Lorentz (C) | Ques Wed | Undisclosed - 02 / 03 / 25 | 0-4 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Lorentz is hampered with an undisclosed injury, and it is up in the air if he will participate against the Golden Knights on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Joseph Woll (G) | Ques Sun | Illness - 28 / 02 / 25 | 0-5 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Woll is dealing with an illness, it is unclear if he will play against the Penguins on Sunday |
|||||
| Max Pacioretty (LW) | Out Indefinitely | Undisclosed - 20 / 02 / 25 | 2-6 | 5-3 | + - |
|
Pacioretty has been placed on the long term injured reserve list with an undisclosed injury, and there is no timetable for return. |
|||||
| Conor Timmins (D) | Ques Sat | Upper Body - 05 / 02 / 25 | 5-6 | 7-4 | + - |
|
Timmins suffered an upper body injury, and it is unclear if he will take part in Saturday's clash against the Hurricanes. |
|||||
| Oliver Ekman-Larsson (D) | Ques Thurs | Lower Body - 01 / 02 / 25 | 5-7 | 7-5 | + - |
|
Ekman-Larsson missed the previous game with a lower body injury, and it has yet to be established if he will be active against the Kraken on Thursday. |
|||||
| Matthew Knies (LW) | Prob Sat | Upper Body - 23 / 01 / 25 | 6-9 | 8-7 | + - |
|
Knies is nursing an upper-body injury, but he is likely to be active against the Oilers on Saturday. |
|||||
| Connor Dewar (C) | Out indefinitely | Upper Body - 21 / 01 / 25 | 7-9 | 9-7 | + - |
|
Dewar has landed on the injured reserve list with an upper body injury, and he is without a definitive timetable for recovery. |
|||||
| Max Pacioretty (LW) | Out indefinitely | Upper Body - 20 / 01 / 25 | 7-9 | 9-7 | + - |
|
Pacioretty has wound up on the injured reserve list due to an upper body injury, and he will miss an undetermined length of time. |
|||||
| John Tavares (C) | Prob Sat | Lower Body - 15 / 01 / 25 | 8-10 | 10-8 | + - |
|
Tavares is dealing with a lower-body injury, but he is expected to be available against the Oilers on Saturday. |
|||||
| Jake McCabe (D) | Out indefinitely | Upper Body - 06 / 01 / 25 | 8-14 | 11-11 | + - |
|
McCabe has wound up on the injured reserve list due to an upper body injury, and he will miss an undetermined length of time. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JJ Peterka (RW) | Out Fri | Lower Body - 11 / 03 / 25 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Peterka is nursing with a lower body injury, and he will not be active against the Golden Knights on Friday. |
|||||
| Jiri Kulich (C) | Ques Wed | Illness - 08 / 03 / 25 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Kulich is ailing with an illness, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Red Wings on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Jordan Greenway (LW) | Ques Mon | Illness - 07 / 03 / 25 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Greenway exited the last contest due to an illness, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Oilers on Monday. |
|||||
| Jack Quinn (RW) | Ques Sat | Illness - 07 / 03 / 25 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Quinn exited the last contest due to Illness, and it is unknown if he will suit up against the Panthers on Saturday. |
|||||
| Jason Zucker (LW) | Ques Mon | Lower Body - 27 / 02 / 25 | 2-4 | 4-2 | + - |
|
Zucker is managing a lower body injury, and it is undetermined if he will be active against the Oilers on Monday. |
|||||
| Jason Zucker (LW) | Ques Tues | Undisclosed - 24 / 02 / 25 | 3-4 | 5-2 | + - |
|
Zucker is hampered by an undisclosed injury, and it is up in the air if he will feature against the Ducks on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Alex Tuch (RW) | Ques Tues | Undisclosed - 23 / 02 / 25 | 3-4 | 5-2 | + - |
|
Tuch is dealing with a undisclosed injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up against the Ducks on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Dylan Cozens (C) | Ques Sat | Lower Body - 05 / 02 / 25 | 3-6 | 6-3 | + - |
|
Cozens is dealing with an lower body injury, and it is up in the air if he will get back on the ice against the Predators on Saturday. |
|||||
| Beck Malenstyn (LW) | Ques Sat | Back - 05 / 02 / 25 | 3-6 | 6-3 | + - |
|
Malenstyn is managing with a back injury, and it is unclear if he will face the Rangers on Saturday. |
|||||
| Mattias Samuelsson (D) | Out indefinitely | Lower Body - 04 / 02 / 25 | 4-6 | 7-3 | + - |
|
Samuelsson has wound up on the injured reserve list due to a lower body injury, and he will miss an undetermined length of time. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 20 Dec 1:04pm - - O +6 -115 Closing 21 Dec 2:04am - - O +8.5 -135 -
- Regular Season
Maple Leafs Team Leaders
Points 80
+ / - 21
Shots 213
Penalty Mins 49
Wins 22
GAA 2.37
Points 58
+ / - 12
Shots 181
Penalty Mins 55
Wins 21
GAA 3.19
-
- Regular Season
Sabres Team Leaders
Points 80
+ / - 21
Shots 213
Penalty Mins 49
Wins 22
GAA 2.37
Points 58
+ / - 12
Shots 181
Penalty Mins 55
Wins 21
GAA 3.19
-
Injuries
Steven Lorentz (C)
Ques Wed Undisclosed - 02 / 03 / 25Joseph Woll (G)
Ques Sun Illness - 28 / 02 / 25Max Pacioretty (LW)
Out Indefinitely Undisclosed - 20 / 02 / 25Conor Timmins (D)
Ques Sat Upper Body - 05 / 02 / 25Oliver Ekman-Larsson (D)
Ques Thurs Lower Body - 01 / 02 / 25Matthew Knies (LW)
Prob Sat Upper Body - 23 / 01 / 25Connor Dewar (C)
Out indefinitely Upper Body - 21 / 01 / 25Max Pacioretty (LW)
Out indefinitely Upper Body - 20 / 01 / 25John Tavares (C)
Prob Sat Lower Body - 15 / 01 / 25Jake McCabe (D)
Out indefinitely Upper Body - 06 / 01 / 25JJ Peterka (RW)
Out Fri Lower Body - 11 / 03 / 25Jiri Kulich (C)
Ques Wed Illness - 08 / 03 / 25Jordan Greenway (LW)
Ques Mon Illness - 07 / 03 / 25Jack Quinn (RW)
Ques Sat Illness - 07 / 03 / 25Jason Zucker (LW)
Ques Mon Lower Body - 27 / 02 / 25Jason Zucker (LW)
Ques Tues Undisclosed - 24 / 02 / 25Alex Tuch (RW)
Ques Tues Undisclosed - 23 / 02 / 25Dylan Cozens (C)
Ques Sat Lower Body - 05 / 02 / 25Beck Malenstyn (LW)
Ques Sat Back - 05 / 02 / 25Mattias Samuelsson (D)
Out indefinitely Lower Body - 04 / 02 / 25Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Steven Lorentz (C) Ques Wed Undisclosed - 02 / 03 / 25 0-4 2-2 + - Lorentz is hampered with an undisclosed injury, and it is up in the air if he will participate against the Golden Knights on Wednesday.
Joseph Woll (G) Ques Sun Illness - 28 / 02 / 25 0-5 3-2 + - Woll is dealing with an illness, it is unclear if he will play against the Penguins on Sunday
Max Pacioretty (LW) Out Indefinitely Undisclosed - 20 / 02 / 25 2-6 5-3 + - Pacioretty has been placed on the long term injured reserve list with an undisclosed injury, and there is no timetable for return.
Conor Timmins (D) Ques Sat Upper Body - 05 / 02 / 25 5-6 7-4 + - Timmins suffered an upper body injury, and it is unclear if he will take part in Saturday's clash against the Hurricanes.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson (D) Ques Thurs Lower Body - 01 / 02 / 25 5-7 7-5 + - Ekman-Larsson missed the previous game with a lower body injury, and it has yet to be established if he will be active against the Kraken on Thursday.
Matthew Knies (LW) Prob Sat Upper Body - 23 / 01 / 25 6-9 8-7 + - Knies is nursing an upper-body injury, but he is likely to be active against the Oilers on Saturday.
Connor Dewar (C) Out indefinitely Upper Body - 21 / 01 / 25 7-9 9-7 + - Dewar has landed on the injured reserve list with an upper body injury, and he is without a definitive timetable for recovery.
Max Pacioretty (LW) Out indefinitely Upper Body - 20 / 01 / 25 7-9 9-7 + - Pacioretty has wound up on the injured reserve list due to an upper body injury, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
John Tavares (C) Prob Sat Lower Body - 15 / 01 / 25 8-10 10-8 + - Tavares is dealing with a lower-body injury, but he is expected to be available against the Oilers on Saturday.
Jake McCabe (D) Out indefinitely Upper Body - 06 / 01 / 25 8-14 11-11 + - McCabe has wound up on the injured reserve list due to an upper body injury, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes JJ Peterka (RW) Out Fri Lower Body - 11 / 03 / 25 0-1 0-1 + - Peterka is nursing with a lower body injury, and he will not be active against the Golden Knights on Friday.
Jiri Kulich (C) Ques Wed Illness - 08 / 03 / 25 1-0 1-0 + - Kulich is ailing with an illness, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Red Wings on Wednesday.
Jordan Greenway (LW) Ques Mon Illness - 07 / 03 / 25 1-0 1-0 + - Greenway exited the last contest due to an illness, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Oilers on Monday.
Jack Quinn (RW) Ques Sat Illness - 07 / 03 / 25 1-0 1-0 + - Quinn exited the last contest due to Illness, and it is unknown if he will suit up against the Panthers on Saturday.
Jason Zucker (LW) Ques Mon Lower Body - 27 / 02 / 25 2-4 4-2 + - Zucker is managing a lower body injury, and it is undetermined if he will be active against the Oilers on Monday.
Jason Zucker (LW) Ques Tues Undisclosed - 24 / 02 / 25 3-4 5-2 + - Zucker is hampered by an undisclosed injury, and it is up in the air if he will feature against the Ducks on Tuesday.
Alex Tuch (RW) Ques Tues Undisclosed - 23 / 02 / 25 3-4 5-2 + - Tuch is dealing with a undisclosed injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up against the Ducks on Tuesday.
Dylan Cozens (C) Ques Sat Lower Body - 05 / 02 / 25 3-6 6-3 + - Cozens is dealing with an lower body injury, and it is up in the air if he will get back on the ice against the Predators on Saturday.
Beck Malenstyn (LW) Ques Sat Back - 05 / 02 / 25 3-6 6-3 + - Malenstyn is managing with a back injury, and it is unclear if he will face the Rangers on Saturday.
Mattias Samuelsson (D) Out indefinitely Lower Body - 04 / 02 / 25 4-6 7-3 + - Samuelsson has wound up on the injured reserve list due to a lower body injury, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.