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Toronto (9-6-2) is in Buffalo to take on the struggling Sabres (3-13-2) in what always feels like a home game for the visiting Maple Leafs.

After a tough loss against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Toronto Maple Leafs look to continue piling up points against the Buffalo Sabres. The Sabres’ struggles are well documented;  they’re near last in every statistical category in the league right now, and out in front for the Connor McDavid sweepstakes, so far.

Korbinian Holzer has been called up on an emergency  basis. It’s a assumed that one of the right-hand shot defence are injured. One of Robidas or Polak will draw out in favour of Holzer, who’s been patiently waiting to get back into an NHL game since seeing 22 games, primarily on the top pairing with Dion Phaneuf, in the shortened 2012-2013 season.

Maple Leafs Lineup

Forward
James van Riemsdyk – Tyler Bozak – Phil Kessel
Daniel Winnik – Nazem Kadri – David Clarkson
Leo Komarov – Peter Holland – Mike Santorelli
Richard Panik – Trevor Smith – Josh Leivo

Defence
Dion Phaneuf – Cody Franson
Jake Gardiner – Roman Polak
Morgan Rielly – Korbinian Holzer

Goal
James Reimer
Jonathan Bernier

Scratched: Matt Frattin
Injured: Joffrey Lupul (broken hand), Brandon Kozun (high ankle sprain), David Booth (broken foot), Stephane Robidas (unknown)

Sabres Lineup

Forward
Matt Moulson – Zemgus Girgensons – Tyler Ennis
Brian Flynn – Torrey Mitchell – Brian Gionta
Nicolas Deslauriers – Cody McCormick – Drew Stafford
Marcus Foligno – Cody Hodgson – Chris Stewart

Defence
Andrej Meszaros – Tyler Myers
Nikita Zadorov – Rasmus Ristolainen
Mike Weber – Tyson Strachan

Goal
Michal Neuvirth
Jhonas Enroth

Scratched: Andre Benoit, Patrick Kaleta
Injured: Josh Gorges (upper body)

Josh Gorges “will be out for a little bit”, says Head Coach Ted Nolan. Meszaros is expected to play, but whether he’ll be paired with Myers is unknown. The Sabres held an optional skate and did not run their defensive pairs.

Cody Franson has a six-game point streak with two goals and six assists during that run. Girgensons has two goals and two assists in the past four games.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Buffalo Sabres

Head to Head:Maple LeafsSabres
Record9-6-23-13 -2
GF/G3.18 (4th)1.22 (30th)
GA/G2.59 (13th)3.61 (29th)
SF/G31.0 (10th)22.9 (30th)
SA/G33.3 (26th)37.1 (30th)
PP21.9% (9th)5.4% (30st)
PK85.2% (9th)77.1 % (23rd)
Sh%10.25% (5th)5.33% (30th)
Sv%92.2% (9th)90.3% (9th)
FO%51.0% (12th)42.8% (30th)