In their second head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Buffalo Sabres clash at the KeyBank Center for a divisional tilt. The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 15, and you can view the game live on MSG Western New York.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Buffalo Sabres Odds
Toronto is 41-29 straight up (SU) and has earned 3.4 units for moneyline bettors this season. 34 of its games have gone over the total, while 31 have gone under and just four have pushed. This 2017-18 Maple Leafs team is 17-19 SU on the road.
Toronto has converted on 22.1 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that places them in the top-5 among NHL teams. Additionally, its penalty kill is ranked sixth overall, and it has successfully killed off 82.7 percent of its penalties.
Toronto, as a collective unit, has been sent to the penalty box just 3.2 times per game overall in the 2017-18 season, and 2.6 per game over its last ten matchups. The team has had to kill penalties just 5.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 31.0 saves per game with a .919 save percentage, Frederik Andersen (35-23-5) has been the top option in goal for Toronto this season. Andersen did just play last night, however, so Toronto might decide to rest him and turn to Curtis McElhinney instead (8-6-1 record, .929 save percentage, 2.27 goals against average).
Mitchell Marner and William Nylander will both look to continue their strong seasons for the visiting Maple Leafs. Marner (58 points) has tallied 19 goals and 39 assists, and has recorded two or more points 14 times. Nylander has 14 goals and 36 assists to his name, and has registered at least one point in 37 games.
On the other bench, Buffalo is 22-47 straight up (SU) and has lost 15.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 69 regular season contests, 34 of its games have gone under the total, while 31 have gone over and just four have pushed. The team is 10-24 SU at home this year.
Buffalo has converted on just 16.8 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s ranked 26th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 21st overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.2 percent of all opponent power plays.
Buffalo players have been whistled for penalties 3.6 times per game in total this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five at home. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays just 7.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Robin Lehner has denied 27.2 shots per game as the top netminder in goal for Buffalo. Lehner has 14 wins, 36 losses, and nine OT losses and has maintained a mediocre 2.91 goals against average and a .911 save percentage this year.
The Sabres will be led on offense by Jack Eichel (22 goals, 31 assists).
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Buffalo Sabres Free Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Sabres, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
Three of Toronto’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 2-1 in those games and 7-2 overall in shootouts this season.
The over has hit in three of Buffalo’s last five games.
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