Buffalo Sabres vs Toronto Maple Leafs prediction

The Sabres saw their impressive eight-game winning streak in the regular season come to an unexpected halt after suffering a 1-2 home defeat against Washington. During the first period, Lindy Ruff's squad had the potential to seal the victory, leading the shot count 15-3, yet only managed a 1-0 lead. However, Carbery’s team made crucial adjustments, resulting in the final 1-2 scoreline.

Without a doubt, this outcome seemed somewhat illogical, but Buffalo remains firm in the battle for the top seed in the East, sitting just two points behind Carolina. With the third-best attack in the league, yet only the 15th-ranked defense, it falls on the potency of the offensive trio—Thompson, Tuch, and Zucker—to make a difference against Toronto. Danforth, Kulich, Timmons, and Greenway will miss the game, while Ellis, Kośak, Pierce, and Samuelsson are questionable for their lineup.

Toronto also ended a series in their last regular game, but it was an eight-game losing streak rather than a winning one, defeating Anaheim 6-4 at home. Craig Berube’s team started this season's rebuild at the trade deadline, concluding the season while languishing near the bottom of the Eastern standings.

With the 15th-ranked offense paired with the 31st defense, the Leafs have struggled significantly this year (though Matthews did become an Olympic champion). Facing the Ducks, after trailing 1-3 in the second period, Matthews, Tavares, and Nylander engineered a comeback to triumph in a match that mattered little to them but was a nod to their supporters. Unfortunately, Matthews picked up an injury and won’t play against the Sabres, joining the already injured Tanev on the sidelines.