After a getting off to a tremendous start to the 2013 season, the Buffalo Sabres (2-3-0) have lost three games straight. The team looks to get back on track when it takes on a struggling Toronto Maple Leafs (2-3-0) squad.
Buffalo stormed through Philadelphia in its opener and then took down Toronto in its second game, but the Sabres were dominated thoroughly by Carolina in the following game and have not looked the same since. In their last match, Buffalo blew a 1-0 lead and gave Washington its first win of the season. Goalie Ryan Miller has been solid in his first starts, but the team's offense has struggled mightily. Aside from Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville, the rest of the forwards have been largely ineffective. Cody Hodgson has not been an impact player and highly touted rookie Mikhail Grigorenko has looked lost this season.
Toronto has other problems of its own. The goal scoring has not been an issue, but the goaltending has poor. After only allowing five goals in their first five matches, the Maple Leafs imploded for 12 goals against in their last two games. They allowed four third period goals to the NY Islanders in a 7-4 loss, and then allowed another four in the final frame to the Rangers two nights later. Pundits had little confidence in the tandem of Ben Scrivens and James Reimer and it seems that the duo has done little to alter that perception.
The last time these teams met, Buffalo won 2-1 courtesy of goals from Hodgson and Pominville. Nazem Kadri scored the Leafs' lone goal. Scrivens and Miller were goalies and only saw a total of 34 total shots the entire evening.
Predictions: The Leafs' goaltending looked better on Saturday against the Rangers but Buffalo's offense will be too strong. 3-1 Buffalo.
Start Time: 7 PM EST
TV Info: MSG, Leafs TV
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