The Buffalo Sabres picked a terrible time for a 1-5-1 stretch.
After working hard to fight their way back into the playoffs, the Sabres quickly stumbled to the back of the pack with six losses, three points, and a -15 goal difference to show from their last seven contests.
The job doesn’t get any easier for the Sabres on Monday as they travel across the border as a big underdog against the Maple Leafs.
All season, the Sabres have played high-event hockey games.
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Sabres vs. Maple Leafs prediction
(7 p.m. ET., ESPN+)
Only Edmonton and Boston score more goals per game than the Sabres, but Buffalo also ranks 27th in goals against average.
Most teams try to tighten things up defensively when they’re in a playoff race, but the Sabres have gone the opposite direction.
Buffalo ranks last in the NHL in expected goals against and high-danger scoring chances conceded in their last 10 games.
Buffalo can be a dynamic offensive team and will be confident that it can come out on top in back-and-forth tilts with teams that feature less scoring talent, but that is not the type of game you want to play with the Maple Leafs.
The Sabres did a decent job settling things down against the Rangers, but it’s hard to see them keeping the Leafs at bay on Monday night.
The puckline is in range for this Atlantic Division tilt.
THE PLAY: Maple Leafs -1.5 goals (put line when it opens)