Just four games today in the NHL with seven bad teams playing. Toronto and Buffalo are two of them. But the Sabres, at a pick'em type price, can work hosting the Maple Leafs at Niagara Center.

Toronto is 1-3-1, playing its third road game in a row and not getting very good net play from goalie Jonathan Bernier. He has yet to win.

The Maple Leafs are 9-42 in their last 51 road contests. This has been a home series with the host winning the past 11 times. Toronto has dropped five in a row at Niagara Center. The Maple Leafs aren't expected to have back injured center Tyler Bozak.

Buffalo is 1-4 residing in last place in the Atlantic Division. The Sabres face unbeaten Montreal on Friday followed by New Jersey on Saturday. They need to win this game so a strong, focused effort should be forthcoming.

The Sabres rank No. 2 defensively in shots against. Offense has been Buffalo's problem. Specifically lack of goals because the Sabres are getting lots of shot on goal. Tyler Ennis already has fired 22 shots on goal and Evander Kane should have at least three more goals considering how he's been playing.

So the feeling here is that the Sabres' offensive luck changes for the better. The shots have been there. Now they're in an important home matchup versus a weak opponent with a history of not playing well on the road and facing a goalie who has been sub-par.

(Editor's note: Stephen Nover has been following hockey since the mid 1960's and has won 71 percent of his NHL plays this season.)