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Buffalo Sabres: 3 things that must happen for 2021 playoff run

By Matt Hawkins

OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 18: Brandon Montour #62 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrates his second goal of the game against the Ottawa Senators with teammates Jack Eichel #9, Sam Reinhart #23 and Rasmus Ristolainen #55 in the first period at Canadian Tire Centre on February 18, 2020 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 18: Brandon Montour #62 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrates his second goal of the game against the Ottawa Senators with teammates Jack Eichel #9, Sam Reinhart #23 and Rasmus Ristolainen #55 in the first period at Canadian Tire Centre on February 18, 2020 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 07: Carter Hutton #40 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on February 07, 2020 in New York City. The Sabres defeated the Rangers 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 07: Carter Hutton #40 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on February 07, 2020 in New York City. The Sabres defeated the Rangers 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

2. The Buffalo Sabres need solid goaltending from both goalies to make the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

There’s no question that Buffalo has struggled to find excellent starting goaltending since Ryan Miller. Robin Lehner was pretty good his first two seasons with the team, but ultimately was not the answer as he floundered his third season with the team.

To replace Lehner, the Sabres signed Carter Hutton, who at the time was 32 years old and a career back up through his so far six years in the NHL.

Before signing with Buffalo, Hutton had a career save percentage (SV%) of .911, goals-against average (GAA) of 2.52, and quality start percentage (QS%) of .419 over 138 games played and 114 starts.

Since signing with the Sabres, Hutton has mostly struggled with a .903 SV%, 3.09 GAA, and .494 QS% over 81 games and 78 starts in two seasons.

Related Story. Sabres: What to expect from Linus Ullmark in 2021. light

While Hutton has struggled, his counterpart Linus Ullmark has been significantly better with a .910 SV%, 2.90 GAA, and .544 QS% in 71 games and 68 starts over the last two seasons.

Last season, Ullmark solidified himself as the Sabres’ starter as he finished the shortened season with 34 games played (starting all of them), .915 SV%, 2.69 GAA, and .559 QS%.

Hutton, on the other hand, struggled mightily playing 31 games (starting 30 of them) and finishing with a .898 SV%, 3.18 GAA, and .467 QS%.

If Buffalo wants to make the playoffs this season, they will need Ullmark to replicate his success from last season, while also getting Hutton to greatly improve. This means Hutton will probably need a SV% of at least .910 and a GAA no higher than 2.70.

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