Maple Leafs vs. Sabres Player Props, Picks and Predictions – Thursday, Dec. 21

We have your Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Buffalo Sabres prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Toronto Maple Leafs hit the road to face the Buffalo Sabres.

The Toronto Maple Leafs (16-7-6) are set to face off against the Buffalo Sabres (13-17-3) in a clash at KeyBank Center. With both teams looking to assert their dominance in this matchup, the Maple Leafs aim to rebound from a recent loss, while the Sabres are eager to break their two-game losing streak.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Buffalo Sabres Odds Info

Moneyline: Toronto Maple Leafs -148 (DraftKings) / Buffalo Sabres +124 (DraftKings)

Puck Line: +1.5 – Toronto Maple Leafs +150 (DraftKings) / Buffalo Sabres -178 (FanDuel)

Total: 6.5 – +120 (DraftKings) / -142 (DraftKings)

Game Info

Date: Thursday, Dec. 21

Time: 07:00 PM

Location: KeyBank Center – Buffalo, NY

TV: ESPN+

Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Trends

• On the road this season, the Toronto Maple Leafs have 7 wins and 6 losses.
• As the favorite this season, the Toronto Maple Leafs have 14 wins and 13 losses.
• This season, the Toronto Maple Leafs have hit 18 overs and 11 unders.

Buffalo Sabres Betting Trends

• At home this season, the Buffalo Sabres have 6 wins and 9 losses.
• As the underdog this season, the Buffalo Sabres have 7 wins and 15 losses.
• This season, the Buffalo Sabres have hit 14 overs and 19 unders.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

Over the course of the last two seasons, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Buffalo Sabres have faced off four times, with each team securing two victories apiece. These matchups have been characterized by a trend favoring the visiting team, which has emerged victorious in three out of the four encounters. When it comes to betting statistics, both teams have equally split the outcomes against the spread, with two wins each. Notably, the total score has consistently surpassed the over-under line set by bookmakers in all four games, indicating a pattern of high-scoring affairs between these two teams. The games have featured a considerable number of goals, with the total score reaching or exceeding seven goals in each game. The goaltending performances have varied, with save percentages oscillating between 0.821 and 0.941 across the games. The Maple Leafs and the Sabres have demonstrated offensive prowess, with the Maple Leafs achieving a season win percentage as high as 60.3448% and the Sabres reaching an even 50% in one of the seasons.

The most recent game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Buffalo Sabres took place on November 4, 2023, and concluded with a 6-4 victory for the Maple Leafs. In this game, the Maple Leafs were the favorites with a closing moneyline of -230, and they managed to cover the spread of -1.5. The game was a showcase of offensive talent, with a total of 10 goals scored, exceeding the closing over-under of 6.5. Key players such as Mitchell Marner, Auston Matthews, and Alex Tuch made significant contributions to the scoreline. The Maple Leafs’ goaltender, Joseph Woll, ended the game with a save percentage of 0.875, facing 29 shots and making 25 saves. On the other side, the Sabres’ Devon Levi faced 29 shots and saved 25, resulting in a save percentage of 0.862. The game also highlighted the Maple Leafs’ ability to come from behind and secure a win, despite the Sabres’ efforts to maintain a lead.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Buffalo Sabres Predictions

The Toronto Maple Leafs are entering this game with a solid road record, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure away from home. Despite a recent setback, the Leafs have been consistent in their play, with star center Auston Matthews leading the charge with 25 goals this season. William Nylander has also been a key contributor, amassing 41 points. The Leafs’ offensive prowess, ranked second in the league, will be a significant factor against the Sabres’ defense, which has struggled to contain opponents this season.

On the other side, the Buffalo Sabres have had a turbulent season, with a win percentage that reflects their struggles to find consistency. However, the Sabres have shown flashes of brilliance, particularly from players like Casey Mittelstadt, who leads the team with 28 points. The Sabres will need to leverage their home-ice advantage at KeyBank Center and tighten their defensive play if they hope to stifle the high-scoring Maple Leafs and snap their losing streak.

This game is also set to feature a battle between the pipes, with goaltending being a critical aspect of both teams’ strategies. The Maple Leafs will rely on their goaltender’s ability to bounce back from the previous game, while the Sabres will look to their netminder to provide the stability needed to secure a win. With both teams eager to claim victory, this matchup promises to be an exciting contest filled with skillful plays and strategic hockey.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Buffalo Sabres Pick

The Toronto Maple Leafs have demonstrated a strong ability to perform on the road, boasting a 7-2-4 record away from home. With offensive leaders like Auston Matthews and William Nylander consistently contributing to the Leafs’ scoring efforts, their second-ranked offense is likely to challenge the Sabres’ defense, which has been allowing an average of 3.42 goals against per game. Considering the Maple Leafs’ recent form and their high-scoring nature, which aligns with the trend of the over hitting in their last five games, they stand as the favorable pick. Additionally, the Leafs have shown resilience in their ability to come from behind and secure wins, as evidenced in their last encounter with the Sabres, where they overcame a deficit to win 6-4.

While the historic head-to-head data suggests a balanced matchup, with each team having two wins in their last four meetings, the current season’s dynamics favor the Maple Leafs. The Sabres are on a two-game losing streak and have been inconsistent throughout the season. The Leafs, on the other hand, are ranked higher in their conference and division, indicating a stronger overall performance. Given the odds, recent trends, and the Maple Leafs’ offensive edge, a moneyline bet on Toronto is the more compelling choice for this game. The Leafs’ ability to outscore their opponents, especially in high-scoring affairs, makes them the right pick against a Sabres team that has struggled to maintain defensive solidity.

The Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs -148 (DraftKings)

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Picks

Here are the players who have hit over their current prop line in at least 7 of their last 10 games.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Buffalo Sabres