Toronto Maple Leafs: Second-Line Scoring Key Against Sabres

The Toronto Maple Leafs seek to destroy the Buffalo Sabres in an Atlantic Division showdown between two of the hottest team in the league.

Tonight’s meeting between the Toronto Maple Leafs and division rivals the Buffalo Sabres is an interesting one for many reasons. Most interesting would probably be the sudden turn-around by the Buffalo Sabres. Tanking the league’s standing last April, and now sitting almost atop of them in December.

Surely the addition of top prospect Rasmus Dahlin at the 2018 NHL entry draft helped, but was that the main reason? No. While Dahlin has been great, Buffalo is not rushing him into his future role as their number 1 D. Playing an average of 19:38 per game, third among the Sabres defenseman.

Surely the chemistry between Eichel, Reinhart and newly acquired Jeff Skinner has helped a lot. Combining for 82 points on the seasons so far, which is almost over a third of the teams’ individual points. Not too shabby.

Second Line Scoring

Depth is one of the key elements for any successful team aspiring a deep playoff run. The Toronto Maple Leafs are blessed with quality depth. With Matthews and Tavares they have grade A scoring and secondary scoring coming from Marner, Kapanen, and even Rielly.

This is exactly where the Toronto Maple Leafs have the advantage over Buffalo. The Sabres mostly rely on their top-line for scoring, and so far it has paid off well for them. The Toronto Maple Leafs have more scoring depth, perhaps most notable in the goal differential for both teams now; +8 Buffalo and +28 for Toronto.

Outside the Sabres first line, only 1 player has more than 10 points, that being Pominville with 15. Something that could really break them up if other teams figure out a way to shut down their top line.

It will be interesting to see how Buffalo’s top line will do against the Toronto Maple Leafs top line consisting out of Tavares, Marner, and Hyman. Perhaps even more how they will try to contain the Auston Matthews line with Kasperi Kapanen.

3 Takeaway’s

The meeting between these teams also marks the meeting between the two hot goalies in the Eastern Conference. Carter Hutton has a save percentage of .917% with a 2,57 GAA for 12 wins. While Frederik Andersen post slightly better numbers with a save percentage of .931% 2,3 GAA for 15 wins.

This could have been the battle between the Nylander brothers. Alexander Nylander has still not cracked the Sabres roster (he’s having a decent season in the AHL) and brother William Nylander has yet to make his return.

That leaves me to my prediction; a 4-2 victory for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Sabres had a rough night last night and might have trouble keeping up when the Leafs start skating.

Enjoy the game!

All stats from NHL, naturalstattrick and hockey-reference.