Why the Buffalo Sabres Are Starting to Turn the Corner
The Buffalo Sabres headed down to Florida in dire need of a win to put the critics aside and move on from everything going on in Buffalo. While they only came out of Florida with one win, they’re showing signs of improvement and may just give fans a reason to cheer once again loud and proud.
The Sabres were just 5 minutes away from leaving Florida with a two-game win streak, just 5 minutes away from a two-game winning streak heading back to Buffalo. Unfortunately some shaky defence cost the Sabres the game, but with a young and inexperienced team
Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
you’re going to lose a lot of those close games. While the loss was devastating for the young Sabres’ team, they’re beginning to show signs of improvement.
The most telling fact from their Florida road-trip is their new found work-ethic/determination. The effort of the Buffalo Sabres (especially in the first period) has been called into question a lot this young season and while they still slept their way through the first period in Florida, they didn’t give up. In both games, they battled back from a one-goal deficit to take the lead in the third period. The young rookies are learning how to work and erase the deficit they find themselves in and work for a lead, they are no longer just rolling over and that’s a huge step in the right direction.
Even in Monday night’s loss to the Dallas Stars, the Sabres played one of the most exciting games of the season and if it wasn’t for a debatable call to Steve Ott, they may have beaten Lindy Ruff in his return. The Sabres skated hard, worked hard, battled back and showed some promise. It was a real positive game for the young Sabres and it got fans a little excited again.
On top of their improved work-ethic, the Sabres have also learned how to score more than one goal a game so that even if they allow an early goal against they can battle their way back and still have a shot at the W.
Another thing noticed with the Buffalo Sabres is the fact they are starting to come together and play as a team and the rookies are finding their place. From Nikita Zadorov and Rasmus Ristolainen leading the way on the blue-line to Zemgus Girgensons and Mikhail Grigorenko showing fans a glimpse of their bright futures, the rookies are starting to round into form. They’re starting to gel as a team and are making much smarter choices with the puck instead of rushing to get it off their sticks in an attempt to play “hot potato” with the puck.
Games like Saturday and Monday night are inevitable with a young team that is still learning. There are going to be rookie mistakes and veteran mistakes *cough* Tyler Myers *cough*, which cause the team to stumble. But almost 15 games into the season the Buffalo Sabres are finally rounding into shape giving fans something to cheer about. The Sabres may not win a lot of games this season, but now that the rookies have some games under their belts and Matt Moulson is here to make his mark, there are going to be a lot of exciting and close games ahead.