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Sabres-Maple Leafs Preview

Apr 1, 2010 - 4:04 AM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

Buffalo (42-23-10) at Toronto (28-36-13), 7:00 p.m. EDT

Utter domination of the Toronto Maple Leafs is one reason why the Buffalo Sabres are atop the Northeast Division and returning to the playoffs. Continuing that dominance Thursday night in Toronto could give the Sabres their second division title in four seasons.

Buffalo (43-23-10) has won 10 consecutive games against the Maple Leafs (28-36-13) overall, and eight straight at Toronto - the longest active road winning streak by any NHL club over another.

The Sabres' last loss at Air Canada Centre was a 4-2 defeat Jan. 19, 2008. They've outscored the last-place Leafs 17-8 to win all five meetings in 2009-10, regardless of venue.

Buffalo is in position to sweep a season series from the Maple Leafs for the first time since 1991-92, when the teams were in different conferences and only met twice.

Partially due to their success against the Leafs, the Sabres have already clinched a playoff spot and own a seven-point lead on Ottawa in the Northeast. Another win over the Maple Leafs combined with a Senators' loss to Carolina would secure Buffalo's first division crown since 2007.

The Sabres are also second in the East - one point ahead of Atlantic Division-leading Pittsburgh with six games to play - after getting goals from six players in Wednesday's 6-2 win over Florida.

"It's a big step when you have that much depth," said right wing Jason Pominville, who netted his team-leading 24th goal. "Guys have stepped in at different moments and played well."

That depth has been key with center Tim Connolly (foot) and left wing Thomas Vanek (lower body) sidelined due to injury. It's unclear when the duo will return, but both players are key offensive cogs. Connolly leads Buffalo with 65 points, while Vanek is second to Pominville with 23 goals.

Pominville, Connolly and Vanek have all been superb during the 10-game winning streak against the Leafs. Pominville has a team-high 13 points in those contests, while Connolly has contributed 11 and Vanek 10.

Ryan Miller, who only faced 15 shots Wednesday, has also thrived against Toronto, posting a 1.39 goals-against average and two shutouts while starting each game of the winning streak. He's also won eight consecutive road meetings.

The Maples Leafs are relegated to the spoiler role, having been eliminated from playoff contention for a fifth consecutive season after Tuesday's 3-2 loss to Atlanta.

"We handed them the game," coach Ron Wilson said. "They did some things well, but we just gave them the game, essentially. Unfortunately."

As Toronto turns its focus to the future, forward Brayden Irwin is scheduled to make his NHL debut after signing a two-year contract Monday.

The 6-foot-5, 215-pound Irwin led Vermont with 34 points and helped the team earn a second straight bid to the NCAA tournament. The Toronto native is expected to play the final six games of the season before returning to Burlington to finish school.

"I've only been here for a couple of days, so I'm still making the adjustment," he said. "The last couple of days have been a little bit of a whirlwind, but it's exciting and I'm looking forward to getting on the ice."