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Toronto Maple Leafs Call-Ups and Game Time Decisions

By Hannah Feldbloom

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 17: Justin Holl #3 of the Toronto Maple Leafs battles against Jack Eichel #9 of the Buffalo Sabres during the second period at the Scotiabank Arena on December 17, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 17: Justin Holl #3 of the Toronto Maple Leafs battles against Jack Eichel #9 of the Buffalo Sabres during the second period at the Scotiabank Arena on December 17, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Tonight, the Toronto Maple Leafs (31-20-8) will take on the Buffalo Sabres (26-24-8) in Buffalo, New York at 7 p.m. EST.

Reports say Frederik Andersen will start in net this Sunday.

After his previous loss, and Campbell’s 4–2 win last night, the Toronto  Maple Leafs will need Andersen to be top notch.

The Leafs are currently sitting third in the Atlantic division, and a win tonight would pull them further ahead of the Panthers.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Buffalo Sabres

A tired Leafs team playing against a poorly competing Sabres team may seem like a break the Leafs need, but as times have shown, the Leafs can still perform poorly against bad teams.

In fact, the Leafs have only won a couple of the back-to-back games this season, with only one against Buffalo.This Sunday matchup is the final time these two division-rivals will face off during the regular season.

Andreas Johnsson‘s season has been cut short due to an ankle injury, and Morgan Rielly isn’t expected to return until mid-March.

The Leafs are also missing d-man Cody Ceci due to an ankle injury. Meanwhile, the Sabres will be without Michael Frolik (illness) and goaltender Carter Hutton.

NHL call ups

In brighter news, this battle of the borders might also feature two Toronto Maple Leaf rookies in their lineup: Egor Korshkov and Mason Marchment who were called up after last night’s game. 

The Leafs have had a bug going through the dressing room, and face several game-time decisions, so having the extra bodies on hand is a necessity.

Korshkov currently has 21 points in 35 games, while Marchment has 18 in 24 (stats per Elite Prospects). With the Marlies’ recent success, it is high time these forwards got a shot at the NHL.

Former first round picks Jack Eichel and Auston Matthews will meet tonight in Buffalo.

The two Americans are nearly tied in points, with Eichel having an edge with 73. Matthews and the Leafs will need to be on the top of their game as Eichel is red hot with nine points in 10 games (stats per NHL.com).

In their last meeting on December 17, which Toronto won 5–3. Matthews scored two goals for the Maple Leafs against Eichel’s one goal and one assist.  In their previous matchups, Buffalo has recorded a 1-1-1 record against the Leafs.

Next. The Most and Least likely to be Traded by the Leafs. dark

Overall, even though the Sabres are unlikely to be playoff contenders, the Leafs need to not drop the ball. They need to play solid in front of Freddie to get his confidence back and continue to push towards the playoffs.

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