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Toronto Maple Leafs: Sabres Continue Hot Pursuit for Connor McDavid

By David Morassutti

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Toronto Maple Leafs: Sabres Continue Hot Pursuit for Connor McDavid

Mar 11, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Tyler Bozak (42) battles for the puck with Buffalo Sabres left wing Nicolas Deslauriers (44) at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs won 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Maple Leafs (29-42-6) @ Buffalo Sabres (21-47-8) 7:30p.m., Rogers Sportsnet

The Leafs are 2-1 against the Sabres this season.

More from Tip of the Tower

Leafs Injury Report

Stephane Robidas is out from shoulder surgery.

Peter Holland returns from a lower-body injury.

Roman Polak is out from hernia surgery.

Nathan Horton is out with a back injury.

Projected Line Combinations (Leafs)

Sabres Injury Report

Chad Johnson is doubtful with a lower-body injury.

Zemgus Girgensons is out with a foot injury.

Josh Gorges is out with a lower-body injury.

Patrick Kaleta is out with a lower-body injury.

Evander Kane is out after having shoulder surgery.

Cody McCormick is out with blood clots.

Projected Line Combinations (Sabres)

Game Preview

Mar 11, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs fans cheer from the stands during the Maple Leafs

After beating the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Leafs now travel to Buffalo to face the Sabres in a crucial battle in the draft lottery sweepstakes. In a recent game against the Arizona Coyotes, Sabres fans were cheering their opponents victory, which did not sit with the players. So before Leafs fans think they are totally on board the Connor McDavid train in the last couple of months, the Sabres have been there the whole season. That is why the notion of the Leafs losing as much as possible in order to catch Buffalo is crazy, because it is nearly impossible to get close to them. The best the Leafs can get in the draft lottery is third, but fourth seems like the destined pick unless the Edmonton Oilers continue to rack up points near the end of the season.

Mar 31, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer (34) makes a save on Tampa Bay Lightning forward Vladislav Namestnikov (90) during the first period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

It was nice to see James Reimer put together two consecutive wins. There will probably be a lot of talk heading into the summer about the goaltending situation and whether the Leafs will try to bring back Jonathan Bernier. This is why the next couple of games will be key for both players, more so for Bernier to give management an idea of what the plan should be going forward. After a great night for the first line against Ottawa, the other players stepped up their game – although if Ben Bishop was in net for the Lightning the game may have ended differently. Holland will make his return to the lineup tonight.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Oct 28, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Tyler Bozak (42) breaks over the blue line ahead of Buffalo Sabres forward Cody McCormick (8) before scoring during the second period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Phil Kessel career vs BUF: 50 GP- 18 goals- 18 assists- 36 PTS

Nazem Kadri career vs BUF: 14 GP- 4 goals- 6 assists- 10 PTS

James van Riemsdyk career vs BUF:21 GP- 8 goals- 4 assists- 12 PTS

Tyler Bozak career vs BUF: 20 GP- 6 goals- 8 assists- 14 PTS

Jonathan Bernier career vs BUF: 6 GP- Record: 3-3, 2.62 GAA- .897 sv%

Buffalo Sabres

Mar 11, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Buffalo Sabres left wing Matt Moulson (26) looks back after being foiled against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Moulson career vs TOR: 23 GP- 15 goals- 8 assists- 23 PTS

Tyler Ennis career vs TOR: 21 GP- 8 goals- 11 assists- 19 PTS

Zach Bogosian career vs TOR: 17 GP- 3 goals- 6 assists- 9 PTS

Anders Lindback career vs TOR: 4 GP- Record: 2-0-1, 1.80 GAA- .935 sv%

Keys to Victory

This match-up can go one of two ways. Either one team will dominate the majority of the game and come away with a decisive win. Or it will be a really close contest, where it becomes uncertain which team will come away with a victory until the very end or in overtime/shootout.

Mar 11, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Buffalo Sabres center Cody Hodgson (19) is tangled up with Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) against the boards at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

What this game will come down to is which team will get the better goaltending, which the Leafs have the advantage in. Toronto do have a better team overall, but the Sabres have a niche to battle hard especially against them. Coming off games in consecutive nights, that has a chance to play a factor as well.

The last time these two teams played each other it was a close game that ended in a shootout. There have been times this season where both teams have had the clear advantage in the win. Especially with the game in Buffalo, this has the makings of a hostile game with the usual crowd that the Leafs get in Buffalo.

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