Tuesday night’s Atlantic Division clash between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center offers a compelling mix of postseason stakes and home-ice momentum. The Maple Leafs arrive in Buffalo with a 50–26–4 record and their sights set firmly on clinching the division title, needing just one point to lock in the top seed. Their recent form has been nothing short of elite, with an 11–2–1 stretch since mid-March and a current three-game win streak that includes a poised 4–1 victory over Carolina, despite being outshot 39–25. That type of efficient, opportunistic hockey has defined Toronto’s late-season push, buoyed by the stellar play of Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews. Marner leads the team with 99 points and continues to drive playmaking, while Matthews, with 399 career goals, is on the cusp of a major milestone. Their power play remains lethal, operating at over 25% efficiency, and the recent emergence of goaltender Anthony Stolarz has given them a new edge in net—Stolarz is 7–0–0 with a .941 save percentage and a 1.56 GAA in his last seven games, showing elite form that could carry into the playoffs. Opposing them are the Buffalo Sabres, who, despite being mathematically eliminated from the postseason, enter with pride and form of their own, most notably a seven-game home winning streak. At 35–38–7, Buffalo is playing spoiler with confidence, fueled by an offense that has averaged 3.22 goals per game and generated pressure through depth scoring and creativity. Tage Thompson has been their standout, with 72 points including 44 goals, and defenseman Rasmus Dahlin has contributed 17 points in the last 16 games, continuing to prove why he’s among the league’s elite young blueliners.

However, defensive breakdowns and inconsistent goaltending have hampered their overall record, as seen in their recent 7–4 loss to Tampa Bay, where they allowed five unanswered goals after taking an early lead. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to start and will need to rebound quickly to withstand the Maple Leafs’ structured attack. While Buffalo thrives on emotion and energy at home, Toronto brings a disciplined, playoff-caliber style that often silences hostile crowds by controlling possession and capitalizing on mistakes. The betting line slightly favors the Maple Leafs, and rightfully so given their form, depth, and clear motivation to wrap up the division crown. However, the Sabres’ recent play at KeyBank suggests they won’t go quietly, especially with pride and young talent looking to leave a lasting impression before the offseason. Expect this game to feature aggressive pace, with Buffalo pushing the tempo early and Toronto responding with calculated counterattacks and special teams efficiency. In the end, this is a test of Toronto’s ability to maintain focus under pressure and of Buffalo’s desire to extend a spirited home surge into one final statement win. The Leafs may have more on the line, but the Sabres’ fearless playstyle and recent results make this one of the more unpredictable and entertaining games on the final week’s calendar.