BUFFALO, N.Y. -- As the Toronto Maple Leafs close in on their first playoff berth in four years, the Buffalo Sabres seek to continue playing the spoiler role for their Atlantic Division rivals.
The Maple Leafs (36-24-15) and rookie sensation Auston Matthews are in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race, entering a Monday night game at Buffalo tied with Tampa Bay for both third place in the Atlantic and the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot. Toronto is also just one point behind second-place Boston, with two games in hand, in the division standings.