A 1-3-0 record against Buffalo last season included losses by 5-2, 5-2, and 5-1 scorelines in the final month of the season after a 5-4 Leafs win to start the season series in November. No matter how poorly the Sabres were playing entering the game, they always seemed to save their best for the Leafs, who conceded far too many goals over the four contests.
As much as you typically need to throw out the season stats entering these Leafs-Sabres games, the Leafs are generally playing sound defensive hockey — eighth in goals against, fifth in shots against — and are getting good goaltending (ninth in save percentage over all situations) but are looking for solutions on the offensive side of the rink.