A couple of the least-penalized clubs in the National Hockey League, the Buffalo Sabres and the Toronto Maple Leafs face off at Scotiabank Arena. This Atlantic Division matchup will get started at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, February 25 and it can be seen live on The Sports Network.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Odds
Toronto (-250) is the favorite over Buffalo (+210) and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 7 goals. If you want to play the matchup’s total, you’ll be looking at odds of -110 for the over and -110 for the under.
Despite posting a record of 37-24 straight up (SU), the Maple Leafs have produced 1.8 units for moneyline bettors this season. Of its 61 regular season outings, 29 have gone under the total, while 28 have gone over and just four have pushed. The team’s 18-13 SU at home this year.
Toronto’s converted on 21.5 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 10th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.5 percent of all penalties.
As a team, Toronto has been whistled for penalties just 2.9 times per game overall this season, and 2.2 per game over its last five home outings. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 5.9 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, in total.
Averaging 30.5 saves per game with a .922 save percentage, Frederik Andersen (28-16-3) has been the best goalkeeper for the Maple Leafs this season. If head coach Mike Babcock chooses to rest him, however, the team could turn to Garret Sparks (7-6-6 record, .908 save percentage, 2.86 goals against average).
Mitchell Marner and John Tavares will each spearhead the attack for the Maple Leafs. Marner (71 points) has produced 21 goals and 50 assists and has recorded multiple points 21 times this year. Tavares has 34 goals and 31 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 40 contests.
Over on the visiting bench, Buffalo is 29-32 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 0.1 units this year. A total of 32 of its contests have gone over the total, while 27 have gone under the total and just two have pushed. Buffalo’s 11-19 SU as an away team this season.
Buffalo has converted on 17.9 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked sixth overall and it’s successfully defended 82.6 percent of all penalties.
Buffalo’s players have been penalized only 3.1 times per game this season, 3.0 per game over their last five contests total, and 2.8 per game over their last five on the road. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 5.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Carter Hutton (.912 save percentage and 2.76 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Buffalo. Hutton is averaging 27.5 saves per game and has 16 wins, 21 losses, and four OT losses to his credit.
Jack Eichel (19 goals, 47 assists) has been one of the primary offensive playmakers for the visiting Sabres.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Predictions
Free Pick: SU Winner – Sabres, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- The total has gone under in three of Toronto’s last five games.
- Buffalo has managed 32.6 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Toronto is averaging 37.2 shots per game over its last five home outings.
- The Sabres are 10-9 SU when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Maple Leafs are 16-8 SU in games where they spend more time in the box than their opponent.
- Two of Buffalo’s past 10 outings have gone to a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 4-2 overall in shootouts this season.
- Toronto skaters have averaged 10.0 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 8.9 takeaways per game (ranked 7th overall).
- Buffalo is ranked 28th in the league with 6.4 takeaways per game. That figure has trended higher recently, as the team has averaged 7.1 takeaways over its last 10 games and 7.6 takeaways over its last five.
