The Buffalo Sabres are mired in a five-game winless streak (0-4-1), highlighted by an extra time loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday evening (Dec. 5) and a surprising collapse towards the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday evening (Dec. 3). In Tuesday’s sport, the Sabres surged to a 4-0 lead simply 12 minutes into the competition, prompting the Avalanche to drag beginning goaltender Alexander Georgiev in favor of Scott Wedgewood.
Wedgewood, making his first look for the Avalanche since being traded to the crew on Dec. 2, helped Colorado as they mounted an unimaginable comeback. The Sabres squandered their early dominance, finally dropping 5-4 in regulation, extending their dropping streak to 4 video games on the time. With the crew struggling, proprietor Terry Pegula and basic supervisor Kevyn Adams face mounting stress to make rapid adjustments.
Sabres’ Lackluster Offense
The Sabres’ offense has been frustratingly stagnant at instances, relying closely on contributions from Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin, and Alex Tuch. Past these key gamers, offensive manufacturing has been inconsistent, notably from the highest six—a lingering subject relationship again to final season. Whereas JJ Peterka has rediscovered his scoring contact since mid-last season and Zach Benson is exhibiting promising growth, the crew is getting minimal offense from Dylan Cozens and nothing in any respect from Jack Quinn. This lack of depth scoring is a major concern.
Throughout their five-game winless streak, the Sabres have managed simply 9 targets and have been shut out twice. With the extent of expertise on this roster, averaging 1.80 targets per sport merely isn’t ok.
Normal supervisor Kevyn Adams failed to deal with the evident want for a top-six ahead throughout the offseason. The Sabres have been linked to gamers like Martin Nečas and Nikolaj Ehlers, however neither deal materialized. Ehlers remained with the Winnipeg Jets, whereas the Carolina Hurricanes re-signed Nečas to a two-year, $13 million contract. In response to Frank Seravalli of The Each day Faceoff, there was reportedly a deal in place to carry Nečas to Buffalo, nevertheless it fell by when he refused to signal with the crew.
To Adams’ credit score, his acquisition of Ryan McLeod through commerce and the signing of Jason Zucker to a one-year, five-million-dollar deal have been glorious strikes. Each gamers have been vibrant spots: McLeod has six targets and 6 assists (12 factors) in 26 video games, whereas Zucker has 5 targets and 11 assists (16 factors) in the identical span.
Nonetheless, Adams should take further motion to deal with the continuing inconsistencies within the prime six. Securing one other key ahead may very well be the transfer that salvages the Sabres’ season.
Sabres’ Blue Line Is Underperforming
On paper, the Sabres boast a extremely proficient blue line, anchored by stars like Rasmus Dahlin, Bowen Byram, and Owen Energy. But, the group hasn’t lived as much as expectations. Whereas a few of the struggles will be attributed to inconsistent performances from gamers like Jacob Bryson and Connor Clifton, the general defensive unit has underperformed. They’re leaving goaltenders uncovered, battling fundamental puck motion, and making avoidable errors—a regarding sample that has continued.
The Sabres at the moment have a 3.12 goals-against common, rating nineteenth within the NHL. Whereas that determine doesn’t appear outright disastrous, it’s much less a mirrored image of goaltending and extra indicative of broader defensive points. For a unit with this a lot expertise, the shortage of cohesion and execution stays a evident drawback.
Associated: Sabres Captain Rasmus Dahlin Prone to Miss Time Because of Harm
There are moments when the Sabres’ blue line seems as stable because it ought to on a constant foundation—however these video games really feel just like the exception moderately than the rule. Energy has been struggling these days, which hasn’t helped his defensive associate Henri Jokiharju, who has been the crew’s weakest defenseman. However, the pairing of Dahlin and Byram, who’ve spent many of the season collectively, has been a vibrant spot. Regardless of a number of miscues, Dahlin continues to play at a excessive degree even whereas battling accidents, and Byram is off to one of the best begin of his younger NHL profession.
Sabres’ Goaltending Solely Shiny Spot
If there’s one place group performing effectively for the Sabres, it’s the goaltenders. Beginning netminder Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (UPL) has carried over his robust play from final season. In 17 video games this season, he’s posted a 2.69 goals-against common (GAA) and a .906 save share (SV%). In the meantime, James Reimer, in his two appearances for the Sabres, has been stellar with a 2.06 GAA and a .923 SV%.
Beginning with UPL, his efficiency has been higher than the uncooked stats counsel. His numbers are barely skewed by 5 video games this season the place he allowed 4 or extra targets, together with his first two begins. Nonetheless, in 10 of his 17 outings, he has given up two or fewer targets. He at the moment ranks twentieth within the NHL in targets saved above anticipated (GSAx) at plus-3.8, in keeping with MoneyPuck. UPL has repeatedly bailed out the Sabres, together with a highlight-reel save on former Sabre Casey Mittelstadt within the first interval of Tuesday’s sport.
As for James Reimer, he has been a nice shock since returning to the Sabres. After being waived by Buffalo earlier than the season and briefly claimed by the Anaheim Geese—who then waived him per week later—Reimer discovered his manner again to Buffalo. His robust performances prompted the crew to ship Devon Levi to the American Hockey League (AHL) for additional growth. At 36 years outdated and within the twilight of his profession, Reimer has exceeded expectations, particularly contemplating the struggles the crew confronted with Levi, who was initially projected to be UPL’s backup this season. Reimer’s contributions have been a fine addition for the Sabres’ goaltending depth.
Sabres Have to Make Adjustments Now
Tuesday evening’s collapse ought to have been a wake-up name for Sabres proprietor Terry Pegula to provoke adjustments inside the group and the crew. But, no changes have been made. Whether or not it’s protecting basic supervisor Kevyn Adams by the season or making a daring commerce, one thing wanted to occur. After an inspiring 3-0 West Coast street journey, the crew has as soon as once more dug itself right into a gap—the fourth such setback this season. This sample of inconsistency is strictly why the Sabres seem unlikely to interrupt their playoff drought.
Associated: Buffalo Sabres’ Gamers and Normal Supervisor Want To Be Extra Accountable
Even with Lindy Ruff returning as head coach, there appears to be an absence of accountability within the locker room. An announcement must be made, whether or not it’s by a commerce, waiving a participant, or sending somebody to the AHL. Tuesday’s collapse marked solely the second time in franchise historical past the crew blew a 4-0 result in lose—and the primary time it occurred on residence ice. Moments like that demand motion.
The answer appears easy: make a few trades. Buying a top-six ahead might stabilize the offense, and a dependable defenseman would assist shore up the blue line. With Dahlin probably sidelined, the call-up of Ryan Johnson from the AHL was a vital transfer, nevertheless it underscores the urgency for Adams to improve the defensive corps. Whereas the Sabres don’t must land a participant of Dahlin’s caliber, including a top-four defenseman to pair with Energy till Dahlin returns—and complement him afterward—would make an enormous distinction.
Followers are beginning to lose religion within the crew once more, and the one option to regain their belief is by persistently profitable and demonstrating a dedication to enchancment. If Adams have been to make impactful trades to strengthen the roster, even when the strikes include dangers, followers would seemingly assist the hassle so long as it produces outcomes.
Ought to the Sabres clear home? It’s a good query. Whereas an entire overhaul would possibly really feel excessive, it’s clear that adjustments are wanted—each on the ice and inside the group—to revive the crew’s aggressive edge and earn again the loyalty of their fanbase.
