Five Buffalo Sabres Games the Squeamish Should Avoid!

Apr. 14, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman

(75) checks Buffalo Sabres defenseman

(27) during the first period at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Sabres fans, I have promised to be as optimistic and hopeful as I possibly can during the upcoming 2013-2014 season.  Sure, Buffalo will be entering year one of its new rebuilding phase, and it’s easy to assume the team is going to stink and wind up duking it out for the “worst Team in the NHL” tag, but I have promised not to take that approach.  Some teams rebuild quickly – one need look no further than the Ottawa Senators for proof – so for at least the first couple months of the new season, I will use all of my willpower to remain a “glass half full” kind of guy.

(Get ready for the but – because there’s always a but.)

But . . .

. . . even a “glass half full” fan can spot a few train wrecks coming if they really study the schedule.  The Buffalo Sabres will be the youngest team in the NHL next year, and even if the rebuild occurs faster than anyone can predict, a young team is going to experience growing pains.  Since I have already highlighted seven games that I am really looking forward to attending, allow me to try to establish a detour of sorts by identifying games that you may want to avoid* next season.  Rubberneckers, ignore as you will!

*Before you flame me for not being a true fan, understand I will almost certainly watch every single game that I can next year.   Identifying potential slip-ups for such a young team doesn’t mean I want them to lose!