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Toronto Maple Leafs vs Buffalo Sabres Preview
The Toronto Maple Leafs will look to shake off back-to-back losses when they visit the Buffalo Sabres on Friday, October 24, 2025, at KeyBank Center. Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM ET on ESPN+. It’s the first game of a weekend back-to-back for Toronto, which has stumbled after a promising start, while Buffalo is quietly gaining traction behind strong home performances.
Toronto sits at 3-3-1, floating in the middle of the Atlantic Division standings, while Buffalo (3-4-0) is coming off a morale-boosting 4-2 win against the Detroit Red Wings.
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Line Movement and Odds
Oddsmakers opened Toronto as slight favorites, but the line has tightened after the Leafs’ defensive lapses and Buffalo’s improved home form.
Current Odds:
- Toronto Maple Leafs Moneyline: -125
- Buffalo Sabres Moneyline: +105
- Total: Over/Under 6.0
You can follow live shifts and public betting data via the NHL odds and betting lines section for market movement updates before puck drop.
Matchup Breakdown
The Maple Leafs Can Win If…
The Toronto Maple Leafs are seeking a reset after being outplayed in a 5-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils — a game that exposed defensive breakdowns and lack of sustained puck pressure. Head coach Craig Berube was vocal about the team’s inability to “invest shift after shift,” and that lack of consistency must be corrected against a Sabres team that thrives on pace.
With Joseph Woll out indefinitely, Anthony Stolarz remains the go-to netminder. Despite facing constant pressure, Stolarz has made 152 saves through six starts, posting respectable numbers under duress. However, his defense needs to give him cleaner sightlines — Toronto has allowed an average of 33 shots per game, 24th in the NHL.
Offensively, the Leafs still possess elite firepower. William Nylander leads the team with 13 points (5 goals, 8 assists) in seven games, while John Tavares has four goals and continues to be a stabilizing veteran presence. Toronto ranks 7th in total goals (25) and 6th in assists (42), demonstrating their offensive capability when their transition play is sharp.
Toronto must simplify its approach — dump, chase, and cycle instead of relying on east-west plays that invite turnovers. If they can generate net-front traffic and stay out of the penalty box, their scoring depth should be enough to outlast Buffalo.
For more game-specific metrics and player performance tracking, refer to the NHL teams page for detailed data analytics.
Maple Leafs Injury Report
| Player | Status | Injury |
|---|---|---|
| Scott Laughton (C) | Out | Lower Body |
| Morgan Rielly (D) | Questionable | Undisclosed |
| Marshall Rifai (D) | Out | Wrist |
| Christopher Tanev (D) | Out | Upper Body |
| Joseph Woll (G) | Out | Personal |
The Sabres Can Win If…
The Buffalo Sabres are trending upward after taking three of their last four, including a strong 4-2 win over Detroit on Wednesday. Goaltender Colten Ellis impressed in his NHL debut, stopping 27 of 29 shots, and is expected to see more action after stabilizing a position that’s been an early-season question mark.
Offensively, the youth movement continues to drive Buffalo’s progress. Jack Quinn delivered a career-best three-point performance (1G, 2A) against Detroit, while rookies Josh Doan and Zach Benson share the team lead in points through seven games. Their ability to push tempo and attack transition lanes has helped offset injuries to veterans like Jason Zucker and Jordan Greenway.
The Sabres rank 4th in power play efficiency, converting on 25% of opportunities, and their defensive core — anchored by Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power — has limited opponents to just 17 goals against, 5th fewest in the league. Head coach Lindy Ruff has his team playing a disciplined, physical brand of hockey that could frustrate Toronto’s finesse style.
If Buffalo maintains its forechecking pressure and forces Toronto into neutral-zone turnovers, it can ride home momentum to a statement win.
For situational trends, advanced goaltending stats, and power play analytics, check the NHL expert betting guide for matchup deep dives.
Sabres Injury Report
| Player | Status | Injury |
|---|---|---|
| Jacob Bryson (D) | Questionable | Concussion |
| Justin Danforth (RW) | Out | Lower Body |
| Jordan Greenway (LW) | Out | Mid-Body |
| Michael Kesselring (D) | Out | Undisclosed |
| Carson Meyer (RW) | Out | Knee |
| Josh Norris (C) | Out | Upper Body |
| Jason Zucker (LW) | Questionable | Undisclosed |
Betting Trends
- Toronto has hit the Over in 4 of their last 5 games.
- Buffalo has won 3 of their last 4 and is 2-1 straight up at home.
- The Maple Leafs are 4-1 on totals this season, consistently cashing the Over.
- Sabres have failed to hit the Over in their last three, leaning Under.
- Toronto is 3-2 ATS in their last five games.
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Prediction and Analysis
This matchup features two teams in transition — the Maple Leafs rediscovering their defensive identity under a new coach, and the Sabres building confidence through energy and youth.
Buffalo’s home form and goaltending spark from Ellis make this closer than the odds suggest. Still, Toronto’s offensive ceiling remains higher, and if Nylander and Tavares stay aggressive in the slot, they should edge out a tight, high-scoring affair.
Projected Score: Maple Leafs 4, Sabres 3
Best Bet: Toronto Moneyline (-125)
Total Lean: Over 6.0 (-116)
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