⏰ 7 p.m. ? MSG ? WGR550
The battle of Buffalo vs. Toronto is always a good matchup and they’ll meet tonight for just the second time this season.
Season series:
The two teams have only met one other time this season, on December 4th in Buffalo. The Leafs won in a tight 4-3 decision with Auston Matthews recording the game-winner.
Buffalo notes:
Captain Jack Eichel had two assists in a 5-2 win over Washington to set a new career high of 66 points. The win against Washington broke a four-game losing streak, which caused the Sabres to fall seven points behind Montreal for the two available Wild Card spots.
Kyle Okposo was back on the ice at morning practice and will be returning to the lineup tonight after being out with a concussion.
Carter Hutton will start in goal for Buffalo.
Casey Nelson will replace Nathan Beaulieu in the lineup tonight, as he was traded to the Winnipeg Jets for a 6th round pick.
Buffalo got a jump on the Trade Deadline last night, sending defenceman Brendan Guhle and a 2019 first round pick to Anaheim in exchange for defenseman Brandon Montour. Montour was given No. 62 this morning but won’t make his debut until tomorrow against the Philadelphia Flyers.
“Montour will be watching tonight’s game…getting on the plane and will be in the lineup against Philadelphia. We’re trying to set him up for success in our organization.” – Botterill
“I’m excited. Good, young, right-handed defenseman. I think he can help our team. We’re definitely excited to have him. I know he’s a competitive guy from what I hear.” – Okposo
Toronto notes:
Nazem Kadri is still out with a concussion, leaving the Leafs without their No. 6 point-getter. Toronto still has Mitchell Marner, John Tavares and Morgan Rielly though, who keep racking up points. Marner alone has 71 points and is a +20 on the season. Matthews is one goal shy of 30 and is skating better than he has all season long.
So to say the least, tonight will be a difficult task for Buffalo — but that’s never stopped them before.
“We should be freshened up and we need to get on a run here. … They just whacked Wash, so it’s important that we play right.” – Leafs coach Mike Babcock on facing Sabres tonight. pic.twitter.com/pnvI6r4SP2
— John Vogl (@BuffaloVogl) February 25, 2019