Toronto Maple Leafs vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 12/20/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Toronto Maple Leafs vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Friday, December 20, 2024

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG Network

Odds/Point Spread: Maple Leafs (-196) Sabres (+162)

KeyBank Center is the location where the Buffalo Sabres (11-17-4) will compete against the Toronto Maple Leafs (20-10-2) on Friday. The odds on this game have the Maple Leafs at -196 while the Sabres are priced at +162. The total has been set at 6.

The Toronto Maple Leafs were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 5-3 victory over the Stars their last time out. Toronto recorded 8 penalty minutes in this game. Moreover, they had 1 opportunity with more players on the ice but weren't able to score. The Maple Leafs had a good offensive performance in the victory. For the matchup, they tallied a score on 5 out of the 19 shots they launched.

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Toronto Maple Leafs opponents have 110 power play opportunities (4th in hockey) and have a total of 19 goals in those chances. The Maple Leafs have had 932 shots tried against them and have a save percentage of .910. Toronto has taken 920 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 10.5%. While playing at even strength, the Maple Leafs let the opposition score 65 goals while having 78 as an offensive unit. Toronto has tallied 97 power play chances and they have scored 19 goals during those chances, garnering them a percentage of 19.59%. For the year, they have earned 42 points and their points percentage is sitting at .656. Pertaining to scoring goals, the Toronto Maple Leafs have racked up 97 goals (15th in the NHL) for the year and have allowed 84.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Joseph Woll. Woll has taken the ice for 49 matchups over the course of his hockey career. He has amassed an overall record of 30-17-1 and he has started in 46 games. Opponents have tallied 127 goals versus Woll in his pro career and his goals against rate is 3.53. Woll has seen 1,469 shots taken against him and has amassed 1,342 total saves. His save percentage is at .914 during his 2,159 mins between the pipes. Over the course of his pro career, Woll has accrued 26 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .565.

In their last contest, Buffalo opposed the Canadiens in a matchup where the Sabres were on the wrong end of the score by a final score of 6-1. They had 5 attempts on the power play in this game but weren't able to put one in the back of the net. The Sabres recorded 1 goal of the 21 shots on goal they took.

On the season, the Buffalo Sabres are sitting with 92 goals, 26 points, in addition to a points percentage of .406. They have granted a total of 109 goals to be scored by of a combination of 85 goals at even strength and 24 goals while they were shorthanded. The Sabres have racked up 79 goals at even strength and 13 goals (30th in professional hockey) while on the power play. They have a tally of 94 chances on the power play and they have accumulated a power play rate of 13.83%. Buffalo has taken 888 shots (22nd in the league) and has a shooting percentage of 10.36%, while allowing the opposition 940 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill percentage of 77.36% on their opponents 106 power play chances, and their save percentage sits at 88.4%.

Across the rink you are expected to see Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in the crease. Luukkonen is the owner of a lifetime mark of 55-51-13 and has been in net for 122 games. Luukkonen's quality start percentage comes out to 55.9% and he has made 66 quality starts in his professional career. He has accounted for 3,220 saves out of the 3,568 shots taken against him, giving him a save % of .902. The opposition is averaging 3.62 goals per game and he has yielded 348 goals overall. He has started in 118 contests and has been on the ice for 5,764 mins.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony's Pick: Take Toronto (-196)

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