Gameday #45: Toronto Maple Leafs @ Buffalo Sabres

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Hey, so I can't find a new Sabres logo anywhere. :dunno:

Losing 2 games in a row and putting the team back at .500, the Leafs visit the rival Buffalo Sabres tonight in yet another crucial game for Toronto (7:00PM ET).

The Leafs have had little success the HSBC arena over the last decade, and a loss on Saturday night at the Air Canada Center in Toronto didn't help their current playoff situation (currently 10th in the Eastern Conference). The team then followed up the loss with another against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday Night.

This after defeating the Boston Bruins (currently 1 point behind them in the standings) 5-1 and then 10-2 in their previous 2 games.

Inconsistency has been one of the main stories for the Leafs this season, who are currently 19-19-5 after 44 games, and 1 win out of the last playoff spot in the East coming into tonight's game.

Another blow from Tuesday's loss to the 'Canes was the injury to Defenceman Ian White, who is expected to miss 3-4 weeks with a dislocated shoulder.

Related Topic: http://www.hockeyforum.com/toronto-maple-leafs/6718-leafs-white-out-3-4-weeks.html

This adding to the list of already battered Leafs which includes Forwards Darcy Tucker (foot), Kyle Wellwood (hip-Flexor/Groin), Alexei Ponikarovsky (Elbow), and Michael Peca (Knee/leg). Either Brendan Bell or Staffan Kronwall are expected to take his place in the line-up.

Related Topic: http://www.hockeyforum.com/toronto-maple-leafs/6634-none-injured-leafs-will-return-tuesday.html

The Leafs will also be with new/old addition Travis Green, who is returning to the team for the first time since he was traded in 2003 in the waiver draft.

Related Topic: http://www.hockeyforum.com/toronto-maple-leafs/6719-maple-leafs-claim-green-off-waivers.html

Toronto is 4th in the Northeast Division, and are -3 in the Goals Against department (145GF, 148GA), exposing a defence that has been mediocre at best for the duration of the season, and leaving much questionable blame on Goaltender Andrew Raycroft.

Raycroft is currently 17-14-4 after 35 Games Played, and has a 3.02 Goals Against Average and .895 Save Percentage.

The strong play of Captai Mats Sundin has proven not to be enough for the Leafs, with Sundin scoring 18 Points in his 12 games previous to their last 2 losses (7G, 11A), and having 39 points in 37 games in total to lead the Maple Leafs this year (18G, 21A).

Buffalo, currently leading the Leafs by a whopping 21 points for the Northeast Division lead, won their last game over the Chicago Blackhawks last night, and have now won two in a row after halting their losing streak at 2 in Toronto Saturday night.

Related Topic: http://www.hockeyforum.com/buffalo-sabres/6710-game-day-42-buffalo-sabres-chicago.html

Forward Daniel Briere, Defenceman Brian Campbell, and Goaltender Ryan Miller were voted into the starting line-up of the All-Star Game to be played in Dallas in a few week's time.

Briere leads the Sabres in Points with 50 in 43 Games played (16G, 34A), and sophomore Thomas Vanek, who barely missed being voted in, is tied with teammate Chris Drury for the team lead in goals with 22.

Miller, is 21-7-2 after 31 Games played, and has 2.67 Goals Against Average and .916 Save Percentage for the Sabres, who are 1st in the NHL with 65 Points (tied with Anaheim) and a solid 31-9-3 record.

The Sabres are 2-1 against Toronto this season, losing the 1st game 4-1 in Toronto, the winning the next one 7-4 in Buffalo. The last was a 4-3 win in Toronto.

Tonight's game will be the 4th of 8 between the two clubs.