Toronto Maple Leafs vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction NHL Picks 12/20/24

In this article, we will formulate a Toronto Maple Leafs vs Buffalo Sabres prediction for this NHL game on Friday, December 20th at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup. 

Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Preview

The Toronto Maple Leafs are 20-10-2 this year after they defeated Dallas by a score of 5-3 in their last game. Toronto trailed 2-1 in the second period, but they scored the next three goals to pull away in the win. The Maple Leafs were outshot by a total of 39-19, won 53.1% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Toronto got goals from Domi, McMann, Nylander (2), and Robertson, while Woll stopped 36 out of 39 shots in the game. 

Prior to that win, the Maple Leafs defeated Buffalo by a score of 5-3 but did lose to Detroit by a score of 4-2 before that. Toronto has scored 3.03 goals per game and they have allowed 2.63 goals against per game, while also going 19.6% on the power play and 82.7% on the penalty kill this season. Mitch Marner has led Toronto with 10 goals, 32 assists, and 79 shots on goal, while Joseph Woll is 9-4-0 with a 2.30 goals against average and a .918 save percentage this year. 

Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview

The Buffalo Sabres are 11-17-4 this season after they lost to Montreal by a score of 6-1 in their last game. Buffalo cut the deficit to just 2-1 in the second period but allowed the last four goals in the game for the loss. The Sabres were outshot by a total of 27-21, won 51.8% of the face-offs, and went 0-5 on the power play in the game. Buffalo got their lone goal from Cozens, while UPL stopped 15 out of 21 shots in the game. 

Prior to that loss, the Sabres lost ten games in a row, scoring just two goals or fewer in six of those games. Buffalo has scored 2.88 goals per game and they have allowed 3.41 goals against per game, while also going 13.8% on the power play and 77.4% on the penalty kill this season. Alex Tuch has led Buffalo with nine goals, 16 assists, and 74 shots on goal, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is 8-10-3 with a 3.00 goals-against average and a .896 save percentage this year. 

Why the Maple Leafs will beat the Sabres

• The Sabres have lost each of their last nine night games.
• The Maple Leafs have won each of their last four games against opponents on a losing streak.
• The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The Maple Leafs have covered the puck line in five of their last six road games following a road win.
• The Sabres have lost the second period in each of their last three night games following a road loss.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Sabres’ last four games at KeyBank Center against opponents on a winning streak has gone OVER the total goals line.
• Each of the Maple Leafs’ last four road games against the Sabres following a road win have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Three of the last four games between two teams from the Atlantic Division have gone OVER the total goal line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Maple Leafs’ last nine games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in 17 of the Sabres’ last 18 games against Eastern Conference opponents.

Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts

• Tage Thompson has recorded at least one point in each of the Sabres’ last eight home games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• Tage Thompson has scored a goal in each of the Sabres’ last four home games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• Rasmus Dahlin has recorded at least one assist in five of his last six appearances against Eastern Conference opponents at KeyBank Center.

Toronto Maple Leafs Player Prop Facts

• Morgan Rielly has recorded an assist in seven of his last eight appearances at KeyBank Center.
• Auston Matthews has scored at least one goal in five of the Maple Leafs’ last six games as favorites against the Sabres.
• William Nylander has recorded at least one point in each of the Maple Leafs’ last 10 games as favorites against the Sabres.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction 

Buffalo comes into the matchup trying to snap their long losing streak, but they have not shown much fight in recent games. The Sabres are 6-9-3 at home this year, while the Leafs are 6-6-2 on the road. Toronto has won four of their last five games and they should get another win here. Buffalo has been brutal on both ends of the ice and they are allowing 3.41 goals against per game this year. Take Toronto to win by at least two goals here.