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Buffalo Sabres Penalty Kill, NHL Playoff Expansion

By Melissa Kania

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Good morning, Buffalo Sabres fans! It’s a good morning in the Queen City, as the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets last night by a score of 4-2. However, last night left many with mixed feelings as a couple injuries came along with the victory.

Forwards Zemgus Girgensons and Tyler Ennis both left the game due to injuries. Early reports indicate that Girgensons could be out weeks, while Ennis is day-to-day. If this is indeed the case, it seems likely that the Buffalo Sabres will recall at least one forward from the Rochester Americans. Could it be Philip Varone, Tim Schaller or perhaps Zac Dalpe?

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Looking back at last night’s game, the Buffalo Sabres’ penalty kill was quite successful, killing off all four penalties. The team even scored a shorthanded goal at the hands of Girgensons, his third of the season. As it stands, the Sabres are on one of their best PK stretches of the season. [The Buffalo News]

From Sports Illustrated this morning, a discussion about possibly expanding the NHL playoffs to include 20 teams.

Four wild-card teams per conference would get into the postseason and participate in single-elimination games

One of the obvious pros of this would be: more money. More games means more revenues for concessions, tickets, merchandise, etc. plus increased traffic at local restaurants, bars and the like, not just in the postseason but at the end of the regular season too, as teams compete for those final must-win spots.

But, as the SI article notes, this would also affect the trade deadline market. Still… could it be a reality someday?

Next up from Bleacher Report, a look at some of the NHL prospects that could be on the move prior to the upcoming trade deadline.

Everyone thinks heavily about the big-name NHLers who could be moved, but what about those guys down the pipeline who could also be swapped? We’ve already seen the Buffalo Sabres trade a pair of prospects this year in Joel Armia and Brendan Lemieux. Who else could go?

Finally, here’s a possible jersey foul for the folks at home. Yahoo! posted about a fan who had a Buffalo Sabres Connor McDavid jersey made, and signed by the player himself last weekend. Jersey foul or no?

For me, I have to say it: total foul. McDavid has never even played a game in the NHL, let alone with the Buffalo Sabres, and there’s still no guarantee that he will be drafted by the Sabres. Even if he does, there’s no guarantee he wears #97, either.

Either way, I’m totally against it. I’ve seen a few McDavid (Sabres) jerseys around Buffalo and it’s all far too premature. How many of these people have never even seen the kid play a game of hockey and already are paying $130+ to get his jersey? I get it, you want to look “cool” and “ahead of the game,” but just…. nah.

Next: Neuvirth on Trade Block?

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