Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Buffalo Sabres Predictions, Odds for Dec. 21

Leafs vs Sabres Preview

These games against the Sabres in Buffalo are always lively affairs, with legions of Leafs fans who make the short drive south across the U.S. border to cheer on their team. That always riles up the home crowd. So energy won’t be in short supply tonight. The Leafs will be looking to even up the season series after losing the first game to the Sabres, 6-4, at Scotiabank Arena Nov. 4.

How to watch the Leafs vs. Sabres

Date: Dec. 21, 2023

Time: 7:00 p.m. EST

Location: Keybank Center (Buffalo, NY)

How to watch: TV: Sportsnet Ontario; Radio: Sportsnet 590

Toronto Maple Leafs Insights

The Maple Leafs (16-7-6, fifth in Eastern Conference) are coming off a tough loss at home to the New York Rangers Tuesday night, 5-2. They’ve had a strong December so far - 4-1-3. C Auston Matthews has really been heating up lately – two goals against the Rangers, bringing the total to 11 through his last seven games. 

Ilya Samsonov is listed as probable to start in goal tonight, and he’s having a rough season – 5-1-5, 3.51 GAA, .878 SV%. You just don’t know what you’re going to get with Samsonov on a nightly basis The good news is the Leafs can obviously score (second in the NHL in goals for per game, at 3.59, with the league’s fifth-best power play) so they should be able to stay ahead if Samsonov falters. D Mark Giordano is week-to-week with a broken finger, and Ryan Reaves is out with an undisclosed injury.

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Buffalo Sabres Insights

It’s been a tough season in Buffalo (13-17-3) so far, where expectations were high that the team would finally show signs of being playoff-worthy. They’re third worst in the Eastern Conference in goals against, with 114 so far, not a good sign when going up against a lethal offence like Toronto’s. 

They’re coming off their worst game of the season, a 9-4 loss to the equally poor Columbus Blue Jackets at home on Tuesday night, a game where the crowd was calling for head coach Don Granato’s head. Eric Crombie is listed as the probable starter in goal for tonight - 1-4, 4.01 GAA, .863 SV%. Jeff Skinner (upper body) and Jordan Greenway (upper body) are out for the Sabres.

Player Props

According to BetMGM this morning, most bet player props for tonight’s game are led by Matthews Over 1.5 Points (2.50), Sabres’ defenceman Rasmus Dahlin Over 2.5 Shots (1.90), and Sabres’ winger JJ Peterka Over 2.5 Shots (1.80).

And at BetRivers, William Nylander Under 3.5 Shots (1.91), Matthews to Score (1.83) and Buffalo's Tage Thompson to Score (2.30) are seeing most action by percentage of total game money; Matthews to Score (1.83), Thompson to Score (2.30) and Mitch Marner to Score (+2.50) the most bet player props by percentage of total game tickets.

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Leafs vs Sabres Betting Odds: Our Picks & Predictions

• ⭐ Moneyline 1.71 (Leafs), 2.26 (Sabres)
• ⭐ Spread -1.5 2.55 (Leafs), +1.5 1.53 (Sabres)
• ⭐ Over/Under 7 

Despite having a record of 4-6 against the Sabres in their last ten games, the Leafs are likely going to win this one, looking for a bounce back after the loss to the Rangers. Best bet is to go with the Over 7, since both these teams don’t exactly embrace defence, along with questionable goaltending for both sides for tonight.

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