The Toronto Maple Leafs (16-7-6) travel to face off against the Buffalo Sabres (13-17-3) on Thursday, December 21st. This game will be played at KeyBank Center in Buffalo. Both the Maple Leafs and Sabres will be looking to bounce back from losses in their previous games. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 ET.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Buffalo Sabres

The Toronto Maple Leafs Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

Currently, the Maple Leafs hold an overall record of 16-7-6 for the season. On the road, Toronto has a 7-2-4 record, while they are 9-5-2 at their home venue. In the Eastern Atlantic division, they are currently 2nd, and in the Eastern conference, they come into the game sitting 5th. Toronto’s average scoring margin this season is +.4, leading to an overall puck line record of 8-21. At their home arena, they have a scoring margin of +.4, while on the road, it is +.5.

Following a 5-2 loss at home to the Rangers, the Maple Leafs are eager to bounce back. In the first period, the Maple Leafs struggled to find the net on offense, but they turned things around with one time in the second period and one goal in the third. All two goals came at even strength. They finished with 33 shots on goal and had 15 turnovers.

As the underdog, Toronto suffered both a straight-up and loss vs. the puck line. The teams surpassed the over/under line, which was set at 6.5 goals, with a combined total of 7 goals.

The Buffalo Sabres Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

Currently, the Sabres hold an overall record of 13-17-3 for the season. On the road, Buffalo has a 7-9-2 record, while they are 6-8-1 at their home venue. In the Eastern Atlantic division, they are currently 7th, and in the Eastern conference, they come into the game sitting 14th. Buffalo comes in with nine wins with a margin of more than one goal this season and lost 12 games by multiple goals. Their overall puck line performance is 16-17.

The Sabres aim to bounce back following their 9-4 loss at home to the Blue Jackets. In every single period, the Sabres’ offense scored a goal against the Blue Jackets. Of Buffalo’s four goals, one were scored while in power play situations. Their game ended with 29 shots on goal and eight giveaways.

Buffalo took a loss vs. the puck line in the game, going into the game favored by -1.5. The over/under line going into the game was 7 goals, which the teams surpassed with their combined 13 goals.

Toronto Offense Breakdown

On offense, the Maple Leafs are averaging 3.6 goals per game which is 9th in the NHL. In terms of shots on goal per game, they are 18th in the league. So far this year, the Maple Leafs are 6-3 in games they have had more shots on goal than their opponent. They are 9-4 in games with fewer shots on goal.

The Maple Leafs come in with an over/under record of 17-11-1. Over the course of the season, they have had 11 games failing to surpass the 7 goal over/under line. The average number of goals in their games is at 7 per game.

Buffalo Offense Breakdown

On offense, the Sabres are averaging 2.8 goals per game which is 20th in the NHL. In terms of shots on goal per game, they are 11th in the league. The Buffalo offense is ranked 27th in power play goals. As for shorthanded goals, they find themselves at 20th in the NHL.

The Sabres’ over/under record this season is 14-18-1. For the season, they have had 19 games failing to surpass this game’s over/under line of 7. Overall, their games are averaging 6.3 goals per game.

Toronto Team Defense

Defensively, the Maple Leafs come into the season ranked 18th in goals allowed. Opponents are averging 32.4 shots per game against Toronto. For the season, they are ranked 10th in shutouts, coming in with 2 shutouts.

Buffalo Team Defense

Buffalo defense takes on the Maple Leafs ranked 16th in goals allowed. On average, opponents are averaging 29.6 shots per game against Buffalo. They alsso are 25th in shutouts, with 1 shutouts.

Maple Leafs vs Sabres Trends

• Across their three previous road games, Toronto has an puck line mark of 1-2. Their straight up record in these matchups was 2-1 while averaging 4 goals per game.
• Across their five previous home games, Buffalo has an puck line mark of 2-3. Their straight up record in these matchups was 2-3 while averaging 2 goals per game.
• As the betting underdog, the Sabres have an puck line mark of just 5-5 in their last ten games. Buffalo posted a straight up mark of 4-6 in these matchups.
• In their last five games as the betting favorite, the Maple Leafs have a straight up record of 3-2, while going 2-3 against the spread.

Maple Leafs vs Sabres Prediction

For a moneyline pick, I’m taking the Maple Leafs to pick up on a win over the Sabres and the road. With the moneyline sitting at -159, I’ll be locking in a bet on the Maple Leafs straight-up.

For my recommended choice in the puck line, I’m leaning towards the Sabres to cover. Even if the Maple Leafs secure a straight-up win, this game is expected to be tightly contested, and the Sabres should cover the puck line.

When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 7 goals, we believe that this game will go over that threshold, and we recommend wagering on the over.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.