The Buffalo Sabres are in Free Fall

BlueWhite

Registered User
Feb 12, 2014
44
10
Toronto
After an inexplicable 10 game win streak the Sabres have won only 6 of 19 for a .316 record(win-loss only).Even if we include the 4 loser points, their record becomes .421. Just for reference the LA Kings in last place are at .411.
With a paltry 49 goals and a measly 17% PP in this time frame, does this team need a minor shakeup to keep in the playoffs or do they stay the course? Maybe they just need a different special teams coach,although their PK is quite good?
 
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Paul4587

Registered User
Jan 26, 2006
31,162
13,178
The 10 game win streak was always going to be followed up with a bit of a letdown. That being said Eichel missing time recently certainly hasn't helped and has cost them points.
 
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Handshot

Registered User
Jan 28, 2015
137
156
There were a ton of signs indicating that winning streak was heavy on luck (only winning one game by more than 1 goal, only winning 3 in regulation), but boy they are dropping way harder than I thought they would
 
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LeafChief

Matthew Knies Enthusiast
Mar 5, 2013
14,555
22,601
Scarborough
With the 10 game win streak in their back pocket, they've put themselves in a position to have a chance. They won those games. They banked those points.

If they can play at just about a .500 pace, they'll be pushing for a playoff spot in April. No one thought they were as good as their 10 game win streak. They likely aren't as bad as this current run.
 

jetsforever

Registered User
Dec 14, 2013
27,202
23,057
They're still not a top team, this isn't too surprising - they still have a good shot at the playoffs
Maybe in a year or two they'll be contenders
 
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Gaylord Q Tinkledink

Registered User
Apr 29, 2018
28,510
29,732
They're still not a top team, this isn't too surprising - they still have a decent shot at the playoffs
Maybe in a year or two they'll be contenders

They need a goaltender and still need an upgrade on d. Still need to re-sign Skinner, or someone similar..

Buffalo really only has to worry about Montreal and they suck even more than Buffalo, so Buffalo should make the playoffs unless they really choke.
 

MackAttack26

Registered User
Jan 10, 2015
8,688
2,593
Ontario
They need a goaltender and still need an upgrade on d. Still need to re-sign Skinner, or someone similar..

Buffalo really only has to worry about Montreal and they suck even more than Buffalo, so Buffalo should make the playoffs unless they really choke.

Neither of these are really huge needs at the moment (except tonight anyways). Secondary scoring up front has been our downfall all year.

Hutton and Ullmark have been one of the better tandems league wide. And adding Dahlin, Pilut, a healthy Bogo along with others bouncing back are D core has been competant for the most part.

If you are talking about in terms of being a future contender you may be right. Goaltenders are voodoo and either Ullmark or our top prospect Luukkonen may fill that role. A RHD to upgrade Bogo would probably complete a very strong D core. Still probably secondary issues to secondary scoring until proven otherwise though.
 
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Sam Spade

Registered User
May 4, 2009
27,484
16,207
Maryland
7 of the 10 wins in the streak were OT "wins", which means luck was on their side, (OT is basically luck of the draw).

Now the luck has shifted as it usually does over 82 games. I still like their chances.
 
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stl76

No. 5 in your programs, No. 1 in your hearts
Jul 2, 2015
9,005
8,265
There was bound to be a regression, their winning streak never really seemed sustainable.

That said, this too shall pass. Wouldn't be too worried if I were a sabres fan. Pretty confident they will be competing for a playoff spot.

In other words: stay the course.
 

Tasteless Beaver

PLANE TEAM GOOD
Jul 8, 2015
7,630
16,072
Ottawa, Ontario
I think this is a good thing for Buflo.
Don't pay big for any assets at the deadline. Instead, draft well on your two 1st rounders this year, and two 1st rounders next year (assuming STL drafts top-10 in 2019) and build for 2020-2021. You can ice a competitive line-up until then, but you won't be contenders, so stay the course.

Also, just realize that the deferred STL pick could turn into a Sens' 1st rounder situation if the Blues suck next year. It's a good time to be a Sabres fan, really.
 

Wolfpuck

Chefnikov
Jun 25, 2006
38,499
84,930
Section 308
Eichel is finally back from injury. Ride out the rest of the season and don't make any panic decisions. Whether they make the playoffs or not, they're set up very well for the near future.
 

chi777

Registered User
Feb 23, 2006
1,532
332
We're regressing back to where we should have been all along which is a middle of the pack team. It will probably come down to the last few games of the season to see if we get into the playoffs or not.

And tonight we had some really bad puck bounces. I've never seen seen a team's defensemen put in 3 own goals in one game but we somehow managed it tonight against the Canes.
 

DemidovSaveUs

Danila Yurov Fan Club Executive Assistant
May 2, 2018
18,571
11,646
Are they though.... they are behind schedule in my eyes.

Still a good team though.
They’re behind schedule in their rebuild, but with the team they currently have, I don’t think many people would be suprised by them missing the playoffs this year and next year.
 

Mallow

Registered User
Jun 2, 2010
80
168
Maine
Hutton and Ullmark have been one of the better tandems league wide. And adding Dahlin, Pilut, a healthy Bogo along with others bouncing back are D core has been competant for the most part.

If you are talking about in terms of being a future contender you may be right. Goaltenders are voodoo and either Ullmark or our top prospect Luukkonen may fill that role. A RHD to upgrade Bogo would probably complete a very strong D core. Still probably secondary issues to secondary scoring until proven otherwise though.

Ullmark has played very well almost every night he has gotten crease time. He looks very much like their goalie of the future, even if the Sabres seem committed to easing him into a full time role by going with Hutton as their goalie of the present. He is still just 25 which is young enough that with some more solid blueliners in front of him he should be able to take the reigns and be a legit #1 next year.
 

BlueWhite

Registered User
Feb 12, 2014
44
10
Toronto
With the 10 game win streak in their back pocket, they've put themselves in a position to have a chance. They won those games. They banked those points.

If they can play at just about a .500 pace, they'll be pushing for a playoff spot in April. No one thought they were as good as their 10 game win streak. They likely aren't as bad as this current run.

Buffalo is currently WC2 at .591 for the season,which means they need .591 the rest of the way to make it. At .500 they will come up short.
 

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