It is no secret that the Buffalo Sabres have not been to the postseason in quite some time now. The drought currently sits at 11 straight years, but the city believes in this franchise again.
While the odds are against the Sabres (around +600) there is still a shot they can sneak into the playoffs.
1. Limit the losing streaks
There are three things that appear to be certain in life; death, taxes and the Sabres starting the year off red hot only to have it come crashing and burning by the end of the month.
So much of the playoff drought has come down to the Sabres losing a few games, and having that spiral into four, five or even 18 straight. Last season saw them win their first five out of seven matchups. The Sabres then proceeded to go their next five games without a win.
We know this team is not going 82-0, but they need to limit the amount three-game losing streaks they go on throughout the season.
The new locker room core will be the biggest reason for this streak to end. The addition of Alex Tuch, who has had success winning at the NHL level, will be the lead cause in keeping this team together when times get tough.
2. Young guns step up
The Sabres will have three prominent rookies in the opening night lineup; those names are Jack Quinn, J.J. Peterka and Owen Power.
Owen Power is currently favored to win the Calder Trophy for the best rookie in the NHL. He had a great start to his NHL career last year with two goals in his eight games played.
Power will be able to ease his way into the lineup with Rasmus Dahlin manning the first powerplay unit. He is currently on the second unit for defensemen pairings and the powerplay. If Owen Power can take that next step in his development, the Sabres will be in a fantastic position to win more games, and not have to rely on Dahlin for points on the back end.
Jack Quinn has the ability to win the Calder Trophy for the best rookie in the NHL. He will have to build off of the 26 goals and 35 assists he had last year down in Rochester. Quinn wrapped up the preseason alongside Casey Mittelstadt and Alex Tuch. This should allow the 21-year-old to rack up important minutes
Quinn had one goals and one assist in his two games up with the Sabres last season. He is not currently listed on any powerplay units, but expect that to change as the year goes on. As you all know, Quinn has a rocket of a shot, and if he can produce some secondary scoring, the Sabres will win more games.
Finally, J.J. Peterka made the 23-man roster for the blue and gold. He was someone who might have been the odd-man out with the new acquisitions made during the summer.
For fans who are not familiar with Peterka’s game, he is a speedy, physical winger who can also put the puck into the net. Last year in Rochester, he was a point-per-game player while notching 28 goals in 70 games.
He is currently on the third line alongside Dylan Cozens and Peyton Krebs. Be prepared to see Peterka being the hardest worker on the ice, and him and Cozens together should be a force together on the ice.
3. Jeff Skinner stays hot
Remember back in 2019 when former GM Jason Botterill gave Jeff Skinner a $72 million contract for eight years, then just one year later, Skinner found himself as a healthy scratch.
Under the leadership of Don Granato, Skinner has started to return to his old game. Last year, he scored 33 goals in 80 games played; this was paired with 30 assists.
Playing with Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch at the end of the year boasted Skinners play and resulted in a resurgence for number 53.
A big change for Skinner this year is his new goal song. His “Party in the U.S.A” anthem was a fan favorite, but his new pick of “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” might be even better.
If Skinner can continue to play with his returned swagger, fans should expect him to score 30-35 goals.
4. Stay healthy
The Sabres were incredibly injury riddled last year. They had six goalies start at-least two games and only had three players play at least 80 games.
This team does have some options in Rochester to fill spots when injuries to occur. They just can’t afford to lose key players for long stretches of the season.
An injury in net may open the door for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to finally solidify his spot in the Sabres crease.
Odds are already against the Sabres to make the postseason, but an injury riddled year will only make things more difficult.
5. Dahlin and Thompson become superstars
We all know the importance of Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin to the Sabres last year. They both solidified themselves as better players in the league, but they both can take another step in their careers.
Dahlin had 53 points in 80 games last year which included 13 goals. After a slow start, he began to find his game and controlled the puck when he was on the ice.
With the addition of Owen Power, Dahlin wont have to carry the team’s defensive core night in and night out. He can focus on his game, and become a top-5 defenseman in the league this year.
For Thompson, He finally found his footing in Buffalo, and made the Ryan O’Reilly trade less embarrassing.
Thompson was moved to the center position and became a new player. He scored 38 goals last year in 68 games, and has the ability to reach 40 this year.
Thompson has to continue last years success and build upon them for this team to have success and reach the playoffs.
What do you think? Comment below and let me know if you think the Sabres have a shot at the playoffs, and if there is anything else they need to do to get there.