The set-up: The 38-24-15 Toronto Maple Leafs won 5-4 at Detroit on Saturday and hold down third place in the Atlantic Division, as they own the tiebreaker over Ottawa, which occupies the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, and a three-point lead over Tampa Bay with one game in hand. The Maple Leafs look to be surging toward what would be only their second playoff appearance in 12 seasons, having gone 7-1-1 in their last nine games. They play the 32-24-12 Buffalo Sabres tonight on the road, who with just 76 points, have already been eliminated from the postseason.

Toronto: The Maple Leafs are right in the thick of playoff contention and five Toronto players have at least 57 points on the season. Toronto goalie Frederik Andersen (32-15-14, 2.66 GAA and .919 save percentage) is 5-0-1 in his last six decisions and has allowed a total of just 13 goals in his last seven games. He is expected to start on Monday.

Buffalo: The Sabres have lost two in a row, after falling behind early and surrendering two third-period goals in their 4-2 Sunday home loss to the Islanders. "We had chances, some good luck, some pressure, but we've got to capitalize a little bit more," Sabres captain Brian Gionta said after the game. However, it's been another sub-par season for Buffalo, which has now missed the playoffs for the sixth straight season.

The pick: The teams have split four meetings this season and note that the Sabres handed Toronto its only regulation defeat in its last nine contests, a 5-2 loss on March 25 in Buffalo. McElhinney started in goal that game, not Andersen. That should be motivation enough for the Leafs here. Make Toronto a 10* play.