The Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres clash at KeyBank Center on October 24, 2025, as both teams seek consistency early in the 2025-26 season. The Maple Leafs enter at 3-3-1 after a 5-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils, while the Sabres sit at 3-4-0 and aim to capitalize on home ice. Lineup adjustments driven by injuries and coaching decisions set up an Atlantic Division showdown that promises a tactical contest.
The game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on HULU, ESPN+, SN1, and TVAS. Toronto head coach Craig Berube has pushed for changes in search of a new identity, while Buffalo navigates a lengthy injury list and roster reshuffling under coach Lindy Ruff.
Maple Leafs projected lineup for October 24, 2025 features notable forward line reshuffles: Auston Matthews centers the top line with William Nylander and Bobby McMann on the wings. Nylander leads the NHL with 11 assists early in the season. The second line has John Tavares between Matthew Knies and Matias Maccelli, while Easton Cowan centers the third line with Dakota Joshua and Nicolas Roy. The fourth line consists of Steven Lorentz, Max Domi, and Calle Jarnkrok.
In defense, Toronto will rely on a reshuffled unit with Jake McCabe and Brandon Carlo as the top pair in the absence of Morgan Rielly, who logged 24:30 in the loss to New Jersey but is out. Dakota Mermis pairs with Oliver Ekman-Larsson on the second pairing, while Simon Benoit and Philippe Myers finish as the third pair. Buffalo’s forward units feature Zach Benson, Jiri Kulich, and Tage Thompson on the top line, followed by Josh Doan, Ryan McLeod, and Alex Tuch, then Jason Zucker, Noah Ostlund, and Jack Quinn, with Peyton Krebs centering the fourth line alongside Tyson Kozak and Beck Malenstyn. Buffalo’s blue line includes Bowen Byram with Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power with Conor Timmins, and Mattias Samuelsson with Zach Metsa. Goaltending sees Anthony Stolarz starting for Toronto and Alex Lyon for Buffalo, with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen returning from a conditioning stint but not yet in full-time duty. Colten Ellis serves as Buffalo’s backup.
Key storylines include Berube’s frustration driving lineup changes, the absence of Morgan Rielly creating defensive challenges for Toronto, and Buffalo’s injury crisis testing depth and prospects like Noah Ostlund and Tyson Kozak. The special teams battle could swing the game, with Toronto aiming to improve the power play amid Rielly’s absence and Buffalo seeking to leverage penalties against Toronto’s PK, and vice versa. The Oct. 24 matchup could be a turning point for both franchises as they navigate injuries and early-season form.
Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.