Buffalo Sabres vs Toronto Maple Leafs Picks and Prediction for Thursday October 15, 2026
The Buffalo Sabres will travel to Toronto, Ontario, Thursday night for an Atlantic Division matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. The puck is scheduled to drop at 7 PM Eastern as both teams continue their early-season schedules. Buffalo enters the matchup looking to establish more consistency, currently 3-3-1 on the young season. The Maple Leafs return home hoping to capitalize on their offensive talent and establish control early in the contest. Toronto comes into Thursday 3-3-1 on the year, having dropped 3 of the last 5 games. Buffalo comes into Thursday at -102 on the money line. Toronto is currently a -118 home favorite with the total set at 6.5. Stay in the news with our NHL Picks.
Buffalo looks for the road win
The Buffalo Sabres offense has been mediocre this season, averaging 2.71 goals and 25.9 shots per game. Defensively, Buffalo has had issues giving up 3.57 goals on just under 24 shots per game, and they've given up four goals in each of their last three losses. Tage Thompson is leading the Buffalo offense this season with 7 points, and he has posted a team-high four goals. Owen Power has also scored seven points this season and leads the team with six assists. Noah Ostlund is tied for third on the roster, with four other players having scored four points each this season.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen struggled in the net for Buffalo last time out, giving up three goals on 38 shots to post a .921 save percentage before Montreal won in the shootout. Olen Zellweger led the way for the Buffalo offense with two goals on four shots in nearly 26 minutes on the ice. Josh Norris chipped in as well, scoring the third goal of the game. Beck Malenstyn and Mattias Samuelsson both added to the Buffalo scoring with two assists each.
Key Injury Report for Buffalo:
- Rasmus Dahlin (Day-To-Day) - Oct 15
- Matt Grzelcyk (IR) - Oct 21
- Jason Zucker (IR) - Oct 15
- Alex Lyon (IR) - Oct 24
- Connor Timmins (IR) - Oct 17
Toronto tries to end the woes
The Toronto Maple Leafs offense has been solid this season, averaging 3.43 goals on 27.6 shots per game. Defensively, Toronto has had their problems as well, allowing 3.14 goals on nearly 30 shots per game, and they've given up 12 goals across their last three losses. William Nylander and Auston Matthews are leading the Toronto offense this season with 12 points, and both have added a team-leading five goals and seven assists this season. Kirill Marchenko has chipped in heavily with six points, good enough for 2nd on the roster.
Anthony Stolarz was terrible in the net last time out for Toronto, giving up five goals on 28 shots to post an .821 save percentage in just under 57.5 minutes on the ice. John Tavares and Auston Matthews led the way for the Toronto offense in their last outing with one goal and one assist each. Gavin McKenna and Jack Roslovic both added to the Toronto scoring with one goal apiece.
Key Injury Report for Toronto:
- Chris Tanev (IR) - Oct 19
- Dakota Joshua (IR-LT) - Oct 24
- Max Domi (IR-LT) - Nov 21
- Cade Webber (IR-NR) - Oct 31
- Elvis Merzlikins (IR-LT) -Mar 30
Buffalo Sabres vs Toronto Maple Leafs Picks and Prediction
Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs -118
Toronto will have an advantage Thursday night against a Buffalo team that can be dangerous offensively but remains vulnerable when opponents establish consistent pressure in its defensive zone. Auston Matthews and William Nylander give the Maple Leafs two dangerous scoring options capable of creating opportunities even when opposing defenses are positioned correctly. Buffalo will need Tage Thompson to generate offense and help keep Toronto from controlling the game through extended possessions. The biggest concern for the Sabres is their ability to limit second-chance opportunities and defend Toronto's skilled forwards around the net. If the Maple Leafs establish their forecheck and force Buffalo into turnovers while attempting to exit its defensive zone, Toronto will generate enough scoring chances to take control. Take the Maple Leafs at home.
Pick: Over 6.5
Buffalo and Toronto have the offensive personnel to turn Thursday's matchup into a high-scoring contest, particularly if both teams find success on the power play. The Sabres rely heavily on their skilled forwards to create scoring opportunities, while Toronto has multiple players capable of converting chances from dangerous areas of the ice. Buffalo's defensive coverage will be especially important against a Maple Leafs offense that can move the puck quickly and create openings through the middle. Toronto should generate several quality scoring opportunities, but Buffalo has enough offensive ability to contribute multiple goals of its own. An early goal could force the trailing team to become more aggressive, creating additional transition opportunities and increasing the likelihood of seven combined goals.