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Sabres vs Maple Leafs November 30 NHL Betting Preview: Toronto Looking to Rebound in Home & Home Series Against Buffalo

Ben Abel

by Ben Abel in NHL Hockey

Updated Apr 3, 2020 · 8:46 AM PDT

Frederik Andersen
Goaltender Frederik Andersen will have to be sharp if the Leafs look win the back end of a home at home against the Buffalo Sabres. Photo by David (Wikimedia Commons) [CC License].
  • The Toronto Maple Leafs (12-11-4) look to rebound from a 6-4 loss to the Buffalo Sabres (12-10-4) at the Air Canada Centre on Saturday
  • The Leafs are 21st in goals against average at 3.14, and 11th in goals for average at 3.25
  • Get the odds, our pick, and all the info you need to bet the game below

With the recent departure of Mike Babcock, Toronto appears to have turned over a new leaf with new Head Coach Sheldon Keefe.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Buffalo Sabres Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
Buffalo Sabres +1.5 (-120) +210 O 6.5 (-105)
Toronto Maple Leafs – 1.5 (+100) -235 U 6.5 (-105)

Odds taken Nov. 30

The Leafs are coming off a 6-4 loss to the same Sabres in a Friday tilt that saw Buffalo score four goals in the second period. This was Keefe’s first loss after three straight wins to start his time in Toronto.

YouTube video

Leafs Culture Shifting Under New Coach

Despite losing to the Sabres, replacing Mike Babcock with Keefe has been a positive thus far. Tyson Barrie was acquired from the Avalanche in the offseason and was struggling to start the season. He was on pace for 20 points but since Keefe took over he has scored a goal in three straight games.

YouTube video

With a five-game point streak in which he’s recorded seven of his 12 points on the season, Barrie looks to be turning around and this should help the Leafs in a big way.

Auston Matthews continues to lead the team with 30 points in 26 games, putting his offseason legal troubles behind him. He is also leading the team in plus-minus at +10. William Nylander is the next best Leaf at +7 and he has 21 points.

Frederik Andersen will be in goal for Saturday’s home game against the Sabres. This is no surprise after Michael Hutchinson let in six goals in Buffalo. Andersen has posted three straight wins and an outstanding 1.34 GAA and .957 save percentage.

Sabres Put the Boots to Leafs at Home

Jack Eichel had two goals and an assist in the Sabres 6-4 win against the Leafs. This helped the Sabres rebound as they had lost two straight.

The Sabres are two points behind the Leafs with a game in hand in the Atlantic Division. If they win both in this home at home it helps them in the standings a lot.

YouTube video

The Sabres did lose Rasmus Dahlin on Monday against Tampa Bay after he was elbowed in the face by Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak. The first overall draft choice in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, he lost the Calder Trophy to the Canucks Elias Peterson despite recording over 30 points as a rookie. He is an integral part of the Sabres fortunes.

Sabres Goaltending Platoon Keeping Team Afloat in the Atlantic

Sabres goaltenders Carter Hutton and Linus Ullmark have been platooning this season, with each starting 13 games. Ullmark has started four of the last five contests for the Sabres. He’s 5-5-2 with a .914 save percentage this season while Hutton is 6-5-2 with a .903 save percentage.

Best Bet

With the coaching change for the Leafs and Frederik Andersen starting for them at home, the Leafs should be able to handle the Sabres in the rematch and return to the win column.

The Pick: Toronto (-235)

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