We’ve got four games on the NHL betting slate tonight, including a divisional matchup between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Buffalo Sabres.
William Nylander has been asked to shoot more this season, and with an elevation to the top line, I fully expect him to be firing everything he can on goal tonight to make the lineup changes pay off.
Read on for my Maple Leafs vs. Sabres predictions and NHL picks for Friday, October 24.
Maple Leafs vs Sabres prediction
Maple Leafs vs Sabres Best bet: William Nylander Over 2.5 shots (-105)
The Toronto Maple Leafs' lines will look drastically different tonight when they travel down to Buffalo to face the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center.
After seven games of mediocrity, Leafs bench boss Craig Berube has had enough of the stale play from the top line and has shaken things up.
William Nylander will get a serious look on the top line alongside Auston Matthews for the first time this season. This duo has had success in the past, scoring 4.06 G/60 at 5-on-5 with a 54% shot share, averaging over 34 shots per 60 minutes and a 64% goal share.
The market I’m eyeing tonight is the shot prop market, and it’s Nylander’s number at 2.5 that has my attention.
Despite leading the team with 13 points, it’s been a slow start for the Swedish forward this season in the shots department, averaging just 1.71 shots per game to this point.
However, Nylander has averaged 2.71 shots per game over his career, elevating that average shot total to 3.24 per game over the last four years, which should make 2.5 a relatively easy number to cover.
Additionally, he’s been challenged by coach Berube to shoot more. Considering the Sabres have been susceptible to lofty shot totals against them this season, averaging 33.1 shots against per game, which ranks 31st in the NHL, I expect that to be the game plan.
I'm anticipating a lot of offensive-zone starts for this Matthews/Nylander duo as well, which should lead to more offensive production —or at the very least, shot production.
Maple Leafs vs Sabres same-game parlay
I’ll stick to the reunion theme and take Auston Matthews to score an anytime goal tonight.
Together, Matthews and Nylander combined for 64 goals over the last three years when on the ice together. The Leafs captain has 21 goals in 29 meetings against Buffalo, including at least one goal in seven of the last eight showdowns between the two teams.
For the final leg of the SGP, I’ll take the Maple Leafs on the moneyline. I expect the lineup changes to pay dividends tonight and end in a victory. They’re the better and more rested team with an extra day to prepare.
Additionally, they’ve beaten Buffalo in five straight games, outscoring them 20-7 in those contests.
Maple Leafs vs Sabres SGP
- William Nylander Over 2.5 shots
- Auston Matthews anytime goal
- Toronto Maple Leafs moneyline
Maple Leafs vs Sabres odds
- Moneyline: Toronto -130 | Buffalo +105
- Puck Line: Toronto -1.5 (+180) | Buffalo +1.5 (-220)
- Over/Under: Over 6 (-110) | Under 6 (-110)
Maple Leafs vs Sabres trend
The Over is 6-3-1 in the last 10 meetings against the Sabres. Find more NHL betting trends for Maple Leafs vs. Sabres.
How to watch Maple Leafs vs Sabres
| Location | KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY |
| Date | Friday, October 24, 2025 |
| Puck drop | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | Sportsnet Ontario, ESPN+ |
Maple Leafs vs Sabres latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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