Game Preview | 5 things to know ahead of Sabres vs. Maple Leafs

TORONTO – The Buffalo Sabres open a back-to-back set against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday.

The Sabres, who held an optional morning skate Wednesday morning, enter the matchup with wins in five of their last seven games.

The game will be nationally televised on TNT beginning at 7 p.m. Dan Dunleavy and Rob Ray will have the radio call on WGR 550.

Here are five things to know ahead of the game.

1. Team updates

The Sabres acquired defenseman Bowen Byram from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for forward Casey Mittelstadt, team announced Wednesday.

Byram, 22, has 20 points (8+12) in 55 games this season while averaging 19:51 of ice time.

For more information on the trade, click here.

2. In the crease

Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is set to make his 10th consecutive start for the Sabres.

He has started in 19 of Buffalo’s last 21 games, posting a .928 save percentage and a 1.95 goals-against average in that span.

3. Power play

The Sabres have scored eight power-play goals in their last 10 games, including five power-play tallies in their last four contests.

Buffalo's power play is tied for sixth in the league since Feb. 1 with a power-play percentage of 28.6 (10-for-35).

4. The season series

Wednesday’s game marks the third of four meetings between Buffalo and Toronto in 2023-24.

The Sabres hold a 2-0 edge in the season series after defeating the Maple Leafs 6-4 in Toronto on Nov. 4 and securing a 9-3 victory in Buffalo on Dec. 21.

Alex Tuch has recorded two goals and four assists in two games against Toronto this season while Jeff Skinner (3+1) and Tage Thompson (2+2) have tallied four points each.

The two teams will meet for the final time this season on Saturday, March 30 in Buffalo.

5. Scouting the Maple Leafs

Toronto has won eight of its last 10 games and sits in third in the Atlantic Division standings with 78 points and a 35-18-8 record.

William Nylander leads the Maple Leafs with 83 points (33+50) in the campaign while Auston Matthews has tallied a league-best 53 goals in 60 games.

Ilya Samsonov is expected to start in goal.