3 major reasons the Buffalo Sabres are struggling

MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 13: Rasmus Asplund #74 of the Buffalo Sabres skates the puck against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at Centre Bell on February 13, 2022 in Montreal, Canada. The Buffalo Sabres defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-3. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 13: Rasmus Asplund #74 of the Buffalo Sabres skates the puck against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at Centre Bell on February 13, 2022 in Montreal, Canada. The Buffalo Sabres defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-3. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
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Buffalo Sabres
BUFFALO, NY – FEBRUARY 17: Craig Anderson #41 of the Buffalo Sabres during the game against the Ottawa Senators at KeyBank Center on February 17, 2022 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images)

Following an embarrassing 4-0 loss at the Bell Centre, the Buffalo Sabres are struggling amidst a four-game losing streak

We knew the Buffalo Sabres were going to have a hard time getting anything going this season. With so many young players rising through the ranks and older stopgaps holding the fort down for when the real Buffalo Sabres arrive and start winning games, turmoil becomes a byproduct.

And right now, the Sabres, also amidst an NHL record 11-season playoff drought, are testing even their most faithful fans. You can see the evidence brewing during home games at the KeyBank Center, where the team is playing in front of a half-empty house.

Right now, the going is tough and it’s never been a harder time to be a Sabres fan. But the Sabres struggles can point to three recurring themes. What are they and how do they go about improving them? Here are three reasons behind the team’s struggles.