"The Toronto Maple Leafs haven't made the playoffs since the NHL lockout so they have an easy goal to attain. As they hit town for their first visit of the season tonight in First Niagara Center, they're sixth in the Eastern Conference and a familiar face has provided a big boost.

Former Buffalo center Tim Connolly, who signed as a free agent in the offseason after being with the Sabres since 2001, will be making his return to the building tonight. Connolly has six goals and nine assists in 18 games, and scored in overtime Tuesday to beat Carolina, 2-1.

Connolly tried to downplay his return with reporters in Toronto this week but acknowledged he knows what kind of reception is likely coming.

"It should be pretty interesting," he said. "[Buffalo fans] tend to boo their [ex-] players when they come back."

"That's going to be a different one," said Sabres coach Lindy Ruff. "Losing him in the playoffs last year [on a blindside check by Philadelphia's Mike Richards in Game Six] was a big loss for us. He was playing well. The big thing with Timmy was he had some untimely injuries that really hurt us.""