TORONTO (Interstat) — The Buffalo Sabres will visit the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday in a National Hockey League game at Scotiabank Arena. Both teams carry 3-4 records into the matchup. Buffalo is the visiting team, while Toronto will have home ice in an early-season Atlantic Division meeting.

Buffalo is coming off a 4-3 shootout loss at Montreal. Olen Zellweger scored twice and recorded four shots on goal, two penalty minutes and one hit in that game. Josh Norris added a goal, and Beck Malenstyn had two assists. Zellweger has been among Buffalo’s most active players recently, with two goals, one assist, 11 shots on goal, six penalty minutes and two hits over his past five games. His ability to create offense from the blue line could be important against Toronto’s defense.

Toronto most recently dropped a 5-4 decision at Utah. Auston Matthews had one goal and one assist with four shots on goal. John Tavares also had a goal and an assist, while Kirill Marchenko added an assist. Matthews has been productive over his past five games, totaling five goals and seven assists with 20 shots on goal and five hits. He remains the central figure in Toronto’s attack and will test Buffalo’s defensive structure.

The Sabres and Maple Leafs have had similar starts. Buffalo has shown bursts of offense, including a 5-3 win over Florida and a 4-3 overtime win over Minnesota. The Sabres also have been shut out by Dallas and beaten by Columbus. Toronto has scored at least five goals in three of its past five games, including a 6-3 win at Colorado and a 5-4 overtime win over Nashville. The Maple Leafs also have dealt with tight losses, falling in a shootout at Vegas and by one goal against Ottawa.

Buffalo’s upcoming schedule includes a trip to Montreal followed by a home game against Philadelphia. Toronto will host the New York Islanders before a game against San Jose. The teams will be looking to build consistency before their schedules intensify.

Special teams and goaltending could shape the outcome. Buffalo will need to limit Toronto’s top scoring chances, especially when Matthews is on the ice. Toronto will aim to contain Zellweger and Buffalo’s transition game. Scotiabank Arena is expected to provide the Maple Leafs with a familiar home setting, but the Sabres have already shown they can score in bunches. Buffalo will need a strong start to quiet the home crowd. Toronto will look to use its speed through the neutral zone.

Interstat’s game simulator projects Buffalo to win 2-1. Interstat’s ELO system gives Buffalo a 60.2 percent probability to win.