The Toronto Maple Leafs always have a tough group of fans coming down the QEW when they play the Buffalo Sabres. The Leafs fanbase is one of the largest clubs in the NHL, but they are more visible in Detroit, many Canadian cities, and Buffalo because of the cheaper ticket prices for Sabers games than for Leaf home games at Scotiabank Arena.
Traditionally, the blue-and-white-clad fans’ attack is about a 50/50 ratio, but with the Sabers winless in 11 straight and in last place in the Eastern Conference, Friday’s game against the Maple Leafs is expected to be even more — supporting Buffalo’s Atlantic Division rival, as season ticket holders may be selling their seats for more than they paid for to eager Leafs fans.
Sabers coach Lindy Ruff approached this game on Friday as if his club was playing on the road.
“You have to accept the challenge. It’s not something you want to see in your building,” Ruff said. “It’s all about the two points, not about the fans. If we play well, we can take the fans out of the game.”
Toronto’s support group hasn’t said much historically, as the Sabers tend to save their best efforts and become more emotionally invested when playing their closest local rival (Buffalo is 74-32-6-3 against the Leafs at the Aud and KeyBank Center. ) than any other group.
The Sabers handed Toronto 9-3 (a one-sided loss to the Leafs) just before Christmas almost exactly one year ago, which should give Buffalo a glimmer of hope to end its long skid.
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