GAMEDAY: Matt Murray returns to Maple Leafs net against Sabres
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Toronto Maple Leafs (20-10-2) vs. Buffalo Sabres (11-17-4)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., KeyBank Center
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GAMEDAY: Matt Murray returns to Maple Leafs net against Sabres Back to video
TV: SNO Radio: TSN 1050
Odds: Maple Leafs -135, Sabres +110
The buzz
Since sweeping through California with three wins in three games, capped by a 4-2 victory in San Jose on Nov. 23, the Sabres have lost 11 in a row, going 0-8-3 for the fifth-longest winless streak in team history. The latest embarrassment, a 6-1 loss in Montreal on Tuesday, came after owner Terry Pegula met with the players to show support. If losing handily to another bad team after your owner takes the time to meet with you on the road isn’t rock bottom, we hate to see what awaits the Sabres, who have taken up residence in last place in the Eastern Conference … During their skid, the Sabres are 2-for-31 on the power play. In just the past four games, opponents scored seven power-play goals on 17 chances against Buffalo … In the past four matchups of the teams in Buffalo, the Leafs have won three … Toronto’s 41 shots on goal in the 5-3 home win against the Sabres on Sunday tied their second-highest total in a game this season … The Sabres have allowed 62 goals on home ice. The only NHL team that has given up more goals in its own building is Pittsburgh (68) … It’s about time the Leafs started better on the road, isn’t it? In their past three away games, the Leafs have been outshot in the first period by a total of 42-11. This being the resilient Leafs, they’ve won two of those games. Still, Toronto’s 6-6-2 record on the road is nothing to brag about and will have to improve in order for the team to have a serious playoff run. Beating up on the Sabres early and often would be a start.
The news
There was speculation that the Leafs were going to recall goalie Matt Murray from the Toronto Marlies, and that became official on Friday morning when the Leafs made the announcement on social media. Dennis Hildeby, as expected, was assigned to the Marlies. Coach Craig Berube confirmed Murray will be in goal. It will be Murray’s first NHL game since April 2, 2023, after he had bilateral hip surgery later that year … Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin told reporters in Buffalo following practice on Thursday that he will be in the lineup after he missed the past eight games with back spasms … Former Leafs forward Sam Lafferty practised on a regular line on Thursday. He has missed nine games with a lower-body injury.
The quote
“Absolutely. I believe in this group. I think we all believe in this group. We just have to be better. We have the team to win and the players to do it, but we’ve been saying that for a while now. It’s about time we go (bleeping) do it.”
— Buffalo forward Dylan Cozens on whether the answer for the Sabres’ woes is in their dressing room
The projected Leafs lineup
Forwards
William Nylander-Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner
Matthew Knies-John Tavares-Max Pacioretty
Bobby McMann-Max Domi-Nick Robertson
Steven Lorentz-David Kampf-Ryan Reaves
Defence
Jake McCabe-Chris Tanev
Morgan Rielly-Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Simon Benoit-Conor Timmins
Goal
Matt Murray
Joseph Woll
The injuries
BUF: F Jordan Greenway (mid-body).
TOR: G Anthony Stolarz (knee), F Calle Jarnkrok (groin), D Jani Hakanpaa (knee).
The prediction
Remember that 9-3 win by the Sabres against the Leafs in Buffalo at this time last year? We don’t either. Another Sabres loss awaits. 5-2 Leafs.
X: @koshtorontosun
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