The Buffalo Sabres head into Scotiabank Arena in Toronto to visit the Maple Leafs in an Atlantic Division showdown on the NHL schedule today. Toronto is currently second in the division, with a playoff spot secured. Meanwhile, the Sabres are still in the playoff mix, seven points behind the New York Islanders for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Odds
The Sabres vs Maple Leafs odds have the Leafs entering the game as the moneyline favorites at -267. The Leafs are coming off a big win on Saturday night against the Edmonton Oilers, 7-4. Leading scorer Mitch Marner had four points (a goal and three assists), while goaltender Matt Murray had a solid start despite giving up four goals.
The Buffalo Sabres schedule shows their last game was a tough 2-1 overtime loss to the New York Rangers at home. The Sabres’ previous outing was a 10-4 pounding at the hand of the Dallas Stars.
With the Sabres seemingly fading from the playoff picture, the Leafs’ high-powered offense should prove too much for the Sabres to handle in one of the most interesting NHL picks today. As a result, the Sabres vs Maple Leafs odds favor Toronto in a tighter-than-expected game.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Matchup Information
Buffalo Sabres vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Location of the Game: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario.
Date and Time: Monday, March 13, 2023, at 7:30 PM ET.
How to Watch: NHLPP | ESPN+
Buffalo Sabres vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Preview
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs have been playing strong despite injuries throughout the lineup. Currently, one of the Leafs’ biggest trade deadline acquisitions, former St. Louis Blues captain Ryan O’Reilly is on the NHL injury report. Nevertheless, other deadline acquisitions, such as Sam Lafferty and Noel Acciari, are stepping up in support of the teams’ top stars.
The Leafs have won three of their last five. Toronto is coming off a west-coast swing that saw them win a tight-checking 2-1 game against the Calgary Flames but drop a 5-2 game in Edmonton. The Toronto Maple Leafs game in Vancouver was a stunning 4-1 loss to the struggling Canucks. The Leafs ended the road trip, winning a 4-3 thriller against the New Jersey Devils.
Toronto has a firm grip on second place in the Atlantic with 40 wins and 88 points. The Maple Leafs will be looking to further cement their playoff seeding, with Leafs NHL stats leader Mitch Marner hoping to hit the 100-point plateau for the first time in his career.
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres have been trending in the wrong direction in the NHL standings. They have dropped four of their last five, seriously dashing their playoff hopes. The Sabres have lost four in a row since last winning on March 4, beating the Lightning 5-3.
The Sabres sit sixth in the Atlantic Division with 32 wins and 69 points. At this point, it seems virtually impossible to catch the third-place Lightning, who have 84 points. The Sabres can still catch the Islanders for the second wild-card spot. However, the Sabres will need to turn things around immediately to have any hopes of gaining ground.
Leading scorer Tage Thompson has been a bright spot for Buffalo as he climbs the NHL player stats board. His 42 goals and 44 assists for 86 points have placed him as the team’s star forward. However, the Sabres’ goaltending situation has been uncertain throughout the year.
Without a clear starter, the Sabres have gone through a three-man rotation with 24-year-old Finn Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen shouldering most of the load. Veteran backups Craig Anderson and Eric Comrie have provided support but not much in keeping the Sabres in the playoff hunt.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Picks
- Over/under: O6.5 (-142), U6.5 (+116)
- Moneyline: Toronto Maple Leafs (-267), Buffalo Sabres (+195)
Overall, the Sabres vs Maple Leafs odds show one of the safest NHL picks for today. However, despite NHL odds, the Sabres historically play well in Toronto. So, the score may be closer than expected.
Expect to take the Under in one of the most important NHL matchups for the Sabres.
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