Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Buffalo Sabres: The Return of Tim Connolly

Tim Connolly of the Toronto Maple Leafs will be facing his former team for the first time tonight.

Connolly played eight seasons with the Sabres before signing a two-year deal with the Leafs as an unrestricted free-agent.

Connolly has been playing quite well in his last 11 games, netting 11 points.  He has found a home playing alongside Colby Armstrong and Clarke MacArthur, who is also a former Sabre.

So what will Connolly's reception be?

I don’t think there will be many fans giving him a negative reception, but some inevitably will; others will be applauding to show respect for the time Connolly put in with the Sabres.

Either way, I think Connolly gives the upper hand to the Leafs because he can provide inside information to his squad; he knows most of what goes on in the Sabres' dressing room. 

Anything from how they game-plan to the tendencies of his former teammates, Connolly will help the Leafs defeat the Sabres.

The Leafs are still playing above .500 hockey on the road (9-7), whereas the Sabres, after a tough defeat to the Sens, are 7-9-3 as the home team. 

Neither team has played since Tuesday, so both sides should be well rested.  This is paramount for the Leafs; they also host the Canucks tomorrow.

Tonight's game should see some free flowing puck movement and a couple goals scored. 

The Sabres are only two points behind the Leafs for the second spot in the Northeast, so every one of these tilts are quite important going forward (the Canadiens are also currently tied with the Sabres for third).

The Sabres, however, have been reeling, winning only three of their last 10 games, going 3-4-3.  But expect a strong performance after a tough loss to the Sens.

My final score prediction is 4-3 Leafs with Phil Kessel potting two.  Like most tilts in the Northeast, it should be a close, hard-fought game, but expect the Leafs to come out on top.