Monday's tilt in Buffalo has significant playoff implications for the Maple Leafs, while the Sabres will be taking more of a long-term view of their performance during the season's final stretch. Even so, this matchup has no shortage of story lines.
Nylander Bowl
Alexander Nylander, the eighth overall pick in last year's draft, is expected to make his NHL debut for the Sabres on Monday. He is the brother of Maple Leafs rookie William Nylander and the son of longtime NHL veteran Michael Nylander.
Alex Nylander said the whole family will be in attendance tonight. A true family affair. Said he hasn't had any trash talk with Willy.
— Joe Yerdon (@JoeYerdon) April 3, 2017
This marks the first meeting of many for Alexander and William in the NHL. The latter just had a 12-game point streak come to an end, but still has 15 points in his last 14 games. The former has endured some struggles in the AHL this season (27 points in 62 games), but comes with an impressive skill set that is very similar to his brother's.
Matthews-Eichel rivalry
Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel are the future faces of American hockey. Given the production from both players this season, the future may indeed be now.
Matthews has 38 goals in what has been an outstanding rookie campaign. One more point and he will surpass Peter Ihnacak for most points by a Leafs rookie.
Eichel missed the beginning of the season due to injury, but he has 55 points in 57 games on the year. The matchup against Matthews has elevated his game, as he has six points in three contests against Toronto this season.
Babcock vs. Bylsma
Bench bosses Mike Babcock and Dan Bylsma are familiar foes, as Babcock coached Bylsma in Anaheim during the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons.
Once Bylsma's playing career wrapped up, he began coaching. His first season behind an NHL bench was in 2008-09, when he won the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The team they defeated in final? Mike Babcock's Detroit Red Wings.
The two have also met on the international stage, where a Babcock-led Team Canada defeated a Bylsma-led Team USA 1-0 in the semi-finals of the 2014 Winter Olympics.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)
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