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but both teams enter the 2017-18 season with brighter days ahead.,The Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres have been league doormats for much of this decade

With both clubs expected to at least compete for a playoff spot this spring,Authentic Auston Matthews jersey, something Sabres star Jack Eichel seems fine with., fans can expect the rivalry to pick up

” Eichel told Mike Zeisberger of Postmedia on Thursday.,Authentic Daniel Sedin jersey,“We don’t like them. They don’t like us

It’s no secret that the big-city Leafs tend to have a large contingent of supporters when they visit Buffalo. Eichel couldn’t help but slam his fists into the glass after scoring a goal in a March 25 victory at KeyBank Center. Zeisberger asked Eichel about the gesture, which the young American admitted was a territorial move.

that specific night,Authentic Ryan Miller jersey, there were a lot of Leafs fans in the building,“Obviously,Authentic Henrik Sedin jersey, and I just thought we needed to defend our own building,” he said. “It was our duty to do that.”

The two teams played in Buffalo again on April 3, this time a Sabres loss. It was during that game where Leafs centre Nazem Kadri got into a heated encounter with several Sabres players when he taunted Buffalo defenceman Rasmus Ristolainen after scoring a goal. Kadri’s tally came just after taking quite a few cross-checks to the back from Sabres’ Zemgus Girgensons.

” said Eichel. “And I like to embrace that,Authentic Bo Horvat jersey, and I think all our guys do,“We play each other a lot. There are some confrontations,Authentic Alex Ovechkin jersey, as well.”

While the Sabres-Leafs rivalry is born out of geography, Auston Matthews‘ arrival in Toronto has given the two teams duelling franchise centremen.

Eichel’s certainly been the more outspoken of the two,Thus far in their young careers, though the 20-year-old said he sees more to Matthews’ demeanour than what might meet the eye.

“I think Auston has a bit of a confidence and a swagger to him,” said Eichel. “He’s got a bit of that ‘f— you!’ mentality in him. And that’s a good thing.

“He doesn’t think he has to owe anyone anything.”

What’ll make Buffalo-Toronto games so much fun for the next while though, is that the player comparisons go much further than just their two budding superstars.

and two years later the Sabres took his brother, Alexander,The Leafs drafted William Nylander eighth overall in 2014, eighth as well.

and the Sabres can counter with Ryan O’Reilly. Buffalo hopes Ristolainen can lead the charge as a top offensive defenceman, much in the way the Leafs hope the same for Morgan Rielly. Mitch Marner,Kadri is one of the game’s top two-way centres, meet Sam Reinhart.

the two teams won’t meet in the 2017-18 regular season until March 3,Curiously, as the NHL schedule crams all four matchups between the Atlantic Division foes into one month.

It doesn’t take much imagination to see those games having a playoff-like atmosphere to them.

The Wraparound: Maple Leafs 3, Sabres 1

In a strange scheduling quirk, the Sabres won't face the Toronto Maple Leafs until March 5.

Based on this weekend, maybe that's a good thing.

Buffalo could do little against its rival. Toronto picked up a 3-1 victory Saturday in KeyBank Center,Though it's just preseason, dropping the Sabres to 1-2-1 in their exhibitions. The Leafs earned a 3-0 victory Friday in Toronto.

The teams don't meet again until crunch time. They will play their four regular-season games during the final five weeks of the season.

" Sabres coach Phil Housley said. "Hopefully,"It's crazy when I looked at the schedule that here's one of our rivals in our division that we're not going to see till March,adidas Auston Matthews jersey, they're going to be really meaningful games at that time and there will be something on the line."

Quick strike: The Leafs needed just 58 seconds of the third period and 11 seconds of their power play to take a 2-1 lead. Connor Carrick drove the left side of the Sabres' zone and banked a shot off goaltender Robin Lehner's pads. The carom went to driving Kasperi Kapanen, who hammered the puck home.

sealing the victory. Toronto outshot the Sabres,adidas Daniel Sedin jersey,Good night: The Leafs' Nikita Soshnikov scored into an empty net with 1:10 to play, 33-25.

Déjà vu: For the second straight night,adidas Ryan Miller jersey, the Maple Leafs controlled a lopsided first period. They opened an 11-2 shot lead and finished with a 12-5 edge. They also scored the only goal.

The Leafs forced a turnover near the Buffalo blue line to gain control. Lehner came out to challenge a shot by defenseman Nikita Zaitsev, with the rebound hitting a body and landing in front. James van Riemsdyk easily cleaned it up with 5:25 gone.

outshooting Toronto,adidas Henrik Sedin jersey,Tips accepted: The Sabres showed more life in the second period, 13-12. One went in.

and Hudson Fasching showed off his hand-eye coordination. While skating backward through the right circle,adidas Bo Horvat jersey,Rasmus Ristolainen lofted a shot toward the net, Fasching reached out tipped the puck over the shoulder of Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen. The tying goal came with 3:39 left in the second.

Strong lineup: The home fans got a look at numerous players expected to be in the opening-night lineup.

Jack Eichel centered for left wing Matt Moulson and right wing Kyle Okposo. Sam Reinhart was in the middle of Evander Kane and Jason Pominville. Johan Larsson skated between C.J. Smith and Hudson Fasching. Kyle Criscuolo centered for Nicolas Deslauriers and Justin Bailey.

Nathan Beaulieu and Rasmus Ristolainen formed the top defense pair. Brendan Guhle skated with Matt Tennyson, while Josh Gorges shared the blue line with Victor Antipin.

Lettermen: Eichel,adidas Alex Ovechkin jersey, Okposo and Kane served as the alternate captains. They had all worn an "A" previously during the preseason.

345 sold. The building was about half full. There were several chants of "Go, Leafs,Counting the house: The Sabres announced tickets 17, go."

Next: The Sabres will take Sunday off before returning for two days of practice. They visit the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night and close out the preseason Friday when they host the New York Islanders.

When does the NHL season start? Opening games, 2017-18 schedule for 31 teams

If you haven't already begun counting down the days until the 2017-18 NHL regular season, it's time to get on it.

without further ado, the Maple Leafs and Jets officially drop the puck on a new year in hockey Oct. 4 (7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet). An hour later, the Penguins will raise another Stanley Cup banner in front of the Blues . For the West Coast (or an Easterner's late-night entertainment),Training camps around the league open the second weekend of September. The first preseason game is Sept. 16. And then, it's Canucks vs. Oilers (10 p.m. ET, HNIC) and Sharks vs. Flyers

There's intrigue beyond opening night.

hosting the Wild (7:30 p.m. ET,The Red Wings usher in a new era with the christening of Little Caesars Arena on Oct. 5, NBCSN). And the expansion Vegas Golden Knights pull up the curtain on their inaugural season Oct. 6 (8:30 p.m. ET) on the road against the Stars; hockey doesn't hit the Strip until Oct. 10 when the Coyotes visit T-Mobile Arena

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