Jack Eichel, Victor Olofsson, and the Buffalo Sabres are set to do battle against Auston Matthews, Mitchell Marner, and the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena in an Atlantic Division showdown. The match will get started at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 17 and it’ll be broadcasted live on NBC Sports Network.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Odds
Toronto (-190) is currently favored over Buffalo (+165), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 7 goals (-120 to bet the under, +100 for the over).
Losing 6.5 units for moneyline gamblers, Toronto is 16-18 straight up (SU) overall in the 2019-20 season. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 46-36 record that the team posted during last year’s regular season campaign. Of its 34 games this season, 17 have gone over the total, while 15 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team’s 7-8 SU at home this season.
The Maple Leafs have converted on 20.7 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 27th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 76.7 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 28.8 saves per game with a .921 save percentage, Frederik Andersen (16 wins, 11 losses, and three OT losses) has been the primary option in goal for the Leafs this season. If head coach Sheldon Keefe decides to give him a breather, however, Toronto could go with the winless Michael Hutchinson (0-7-7 record, .876 save percentage, 4.55 goals against average).
Buffalo has netted moneyline bettors 0.3 units this season and is currently 16-18 straight up (SU). A total of 18 of its matches have gone over the total, while 16 have gone under the total and none have pushed. The Sabres are 6-12 SU as the away team this season.
The Sabres have converted on 18.7 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 29th overall and it’s successfully defended 75.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
Linus Ullmark (30.5 saves per game) has been the primary option in the net for Buffalo. Ullmark has 10 wins, nine losses, and three overtime losses to his credit, while registering a .915 save percentage and 2.84 goals against average this year.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Free Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Maple Leafs, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The Sabres are 1-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while the Maple Leafs are 1-2 in shootouts.
- The under has hit in three of Toronto’s last five games.
- Buffalo has managed 28.8 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Toronto is averaging 38.0 shots per game over its last five at home.
- Buffalo skaters registered 19.1 hits per game last season, while the Maple Leafs accounted for 18.8 hits per matchup.
