Who Will Get The First Win Of The Season First
The Buffalo Sabres are in rare company within the National Hockey League. They are one of seven teams that have yet to record a
Its a rare site to see the Buffalo Sabres celebrate a goal. Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
victory in the 2013-2014 regular season.
Compound that with the fact that they are one of five teams that have yet to land a point in the standings.
Buffalo is third worse in goal differential – with only the Philadelphia Flyers being worse and tied with the Edmonton Oilers.
Which of the win less teams will be the last to pick up a game in the win column?
How many of the teams on this list are destined to recover, and how many are already looking at the 2014 draft class?
Page through to see who might get the last win in the 2013-2014 season.
New York Rangers
Maybe its time for a new team. Miller just might be a smarter guy than me for wanting out of Buffalo. Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
The Rangers are the odds on favorite to get the first victory among the teams that are still drawing blanks. With only one game under their belt – they haven’t hit the ranks of a losing streak just yet. The New York Rangers are staring down the rabbit hole, they only need a push to join the other win less teams on the spiral down to last place. The Rangers started their season on the road – a long way from home. With the start of the season, they have played only one game, but they continue to play away from Madison Square Garden for another eight games. Their next three games are a whirlwind tour of three California cities over four days. With a coaching change to start the season – are the Rangers biding their time or still on the learning curve?
New Jersey Devils
Lets hug and show Kovalchuk what he missing. USA Today Images
The Devils are at least in play when it comes to points in the standings, picking up one point in their first two games. After a home and away game to start the season – the New Jersey Devils are also a long way from home for the duration of the next week of the schedule, while the Rangers are plowing through the Southwestern most teams in the league, the New Jersey Devils look for their first win in the Northwest. They play five games away from the Prudential Center before coming home to host the New York Rangers on October 19th – could one of these teams still be looking for their first win on a mid October Saturday?
Philadelphia Flyers
Its my team now! Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
While I like nothing more than seeing the Philadelphia Flyers at the bottom of the standings and without a win – I just don’t forsee it possible for an Xbox like season for the Flyers, going with a straight up 0 in the win column all year. The Flyers have two home games coming up this week that look good enough for them to get their first victory hosting the Florida Panthers and Phoenix Coyotes. The Flyers have taken matters into new hands – firing head coach Peter Laviolette – replacing him with assistant coach Craig Berube. We all know no matter how bad things get in Buffalo – it takes a good fourteen years to get fired.
Minnesota Wild
Back to the future – when did I resign in Buffalo? Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports
Call the Minnesota Wild the almost kids of 2013-2014 so far. With two games under their belts – they have two points, because they almost won both of their games, but failed to finish the job in extra time – both games in front of their own fans. The Wild have three games between now and when they face off against the Buffalo Sabres – will one of them be still looking for their first win – and will Buffalo still be looking for its first point when these teams meet?
Nashville Predators
No – I didn’t say you, now I am going to get fined for poor player selection!!! Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Well the odds were in the favor that this was going to happen, but since we just talked about Minnesota, lets talk about Nashville who started the season 0-2. Those last statements about will the Wild and Sabres still be looking for their first win – well that’s only if Nashville beats Minnesota on Tuesday. One of them is bound to get a victory – the way things are going it might just be Minnesota’s bell to ring, or they could come up short and only get a point out of Nashville.
Edmonton Oilers
With the first pick, in the 2014 entry draft, the Edmonton Oilers select…. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sure outside of the dynasty years they dont share the same makeup, but damn aren’t these two teams familiar, well the Buffalo Sabres and Edmonton Oilers that is. Both teams are the only one in their division that haven’t won a game yet – and no free agents want to play in their city. Great – lets load up on draft picks and build from within. That’s not really working out for you guys is it? While their goal differential may be tied – the Oilers have scored more than the Sabres in two games. No team in the league (save for the Rangers who have only played one game) have scored fewer goals than the Buffalo Sabres.