Bold predictions for the Buffalo Sabres homestand

Los Angeles Kings: Sabres take Kings into OT

The Kings are 9-1-2 in their last twelve road games. And while the Kings show no signs of slowing down, the Sabres have gotten their act together for at least a couple of games. Look for them to continue that trend against Los Angeles, and look for a scoring-fest at that.

While it’s farfetched to believe a team of the Sabres caliber can outright win yet another game against a playoff contender, they have proven that they can hang with anyone. Amidst their six-game losing streak, they also hung with the mighty St. Louis Blues well.

I won’t say whether I think the Sabres will win this one. But I will say they have a chance, given their recent performances. Look for the two teams to take a 4-4 stalemate into overtime, and someone will score the game-winning goal before they revert to a shootout. Regardless of who wins, expect a thriller at the KeyBank Center.

Florida Panthers: Someone’s scoring a hat trick

The Panthers are among the league’s best teams, but they’ve been spotty on the defensive side of the puck. They are 4-4 in their last eight games. In each of their four wins, they allowed two or fewer goals. In their four losses, they allowed four or more, including allowing at least five on three occasions.

The Sabres also have a huge advantage playing at home against the Panthers, who in 24 road games have already lost more than their home record, which stands at 24-6. And until last week this team was 23-3 at home.

Look for the Sabres to continue their scoring ways on a Florida team that’s not as sharp on the road. And look for Alex Tuch to sink that hat trick, which will place him on the same pedestal as Jeff Skinner and Tage Thompson.

As with the Kings game, it’s hard to see the Sabres winning this thing. But if they can reach the four-goal margin from a Tuch hat trick, they have a chance.

Vegas Golden Knights: Tuch and Krebs Get Revenge

If there’s one game marked in red, it’s the Sabres-Knights. No, these two teams aren’t exactly heated rivals, but there’s a little bit of history between one of the NHL’s newer franchises and the established Sabres.

With former Sabre Jack Eichel playing at a high level in Vegas, some may believe the Sabres lost out on this trade. But others realize the Sabres could win big long-term. And they’ve also won in the short-term, considering Tuch solidifying himself on the first-line and Peyton Krebs sliding into the second and third line, and playing like a seasoned veteran.

But the relationship with Eichel ended on a sour note. Meanwhile, neither Tuch nor Krebs were able to fully showcase their ability in Vegas. So expect them to pull off multiple-point games in this one en route to a narrow win over the Golden Knights. Tuch and Krebs get their revenge, and a sour Eichel makes a long trip back to the desert empty-handed.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Sabres go out on top

The Sabres topped the Leafs once already, so what’s one more? Technically, this isn’t a home game at the KeyBank Center. But who cares? The Sabres will take the ice wearing special uniforms and they will look good in an encore performance against the Maple Leafs on national television.

The Leafs will make this a closer game, but let’s get ultra-bold and say Casey Mittelstadt joins the party and tacks on two goals in a 5-3 win. The Sabres end the “homestand” on a positive note before they make a few more stops north of the border.

Sure, these were bold predictions. But hey, did anyone see the Sabres pouring 10 goals in two games on two of the NHL’s better teams? Anything is possible here.

The Sabres start their next road trip on March 17th against the Edmonton Oilers. The road trip to Canada also includes a date with the Calgary Flames, and a finale against the Vancouver Canucks.