Buffalo (15-12-3) vs Toronto (16-11-3)
It's a rivalry Leaf fans love until they realise Buffalo isn't playing their back up tonight . Ryan Miller is a thorn in the side of so many franchise he sports the number of teams on his jersey. He brings a battle level which allows him to make third and fourth saves on chances where other goalies are beaten on the initial rebound. All the cash Buffalo has thrown out to Leino to Ehrhoff to Regehr all goes out the window if Miller is off his game but that doesn't happen often enough.
The problem for Miller is at the moment while those players thrive off of his abilities, Miller is without the key support he is used to going into this game and the team is riding a two game losing streak(Rangers and Senators). Lindy Ruff has to make do with what he has and going against an inconsistent team like Toronto he might have enough tricks up his sleeve to get it done as he has in the past.
For Toronto the key is special teams. Toronto is 29th on the PK but fifth on the PP! While the functional PP certainly has helped the team to it's 16-11-3 record as a Leaf fan you have to wonder where the team would be if the PK was on par or atleast in the top ten. Toronto is going to take off if they get special teams figured out sooner rather than later but history teaches us it's not likely so hang in there Leafs Nation.
James Reimer looked good against Carolina but then again who doesn't? He is 1-3 since returning from his head/neck injury which seen him miss 18 games. I'm not completely sold on the kid yet. He had a nice start to the season but we didn't get a big enough sample. Does he return to form or is the rust to much to shake off? He certainly has the defense to get the job done but the penalty kill is no ones friend in Toronto right now.
Projection: Miller keeps Sabres in the game but a fairly healthy Toronto squad proves to be too much against the reeling Sabres. Toronto wins 4-2
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