The Buffalo Sabres looked like the ‘same old Sabres’ during a blowout loss to the Edmonton Oilers. One night later, they again proved they’re a team on the rise.
This isn’t fools gold. The Buffalo Sabres have shown plenty of times in March they can defeat playoff contenders even if they suffer the occasional blowout loss. Hey, it comes with the territory if you are a young hockey team.
The Sabres will suffer losses like they did earlier in the month against the Florida Panthers or two nights ago against the Edmonton Oilers. Kindly expect them.
Come October 2022, expect them to get even younger if and when they part ways with veterans whose contracts are expiring. And look for a few more trades in the offseason, leading them to part ways with even more veterans for younger talent.
And yes, even in 2022-23, assume some blowout losses. But to a lesser degree. Just one month ago, the Sabres would have let a team as talented as the Calgary Flames skate all over them. But last night against the Flames, they held their own and knotted a 1-0 shutout win.
"“You’ve seen that multiple times this season.” Tage Thompson said regarding the blowout losses. “We’re starting to be a little more consistent as of late, I think, and that’s a good feeling.” – via NHL.com."
The Buffalo Sabres are putting the NHL on notice
At least to some degree, the Sabres are notifying the league’s top contenders. Notifying them as in, “we’re no longer a team you can just gloss over.” Even if those contenders score six, seven, or even eight goals on them occasionally before this team completes its rebuild, those contenders need to take the Sabres seriously.
This isn’t the same sorry team of the 2010s and they’re definitely not the same sorry team that lost 18 straight games a season ago. They’re not even the same sorry team that won nine out of 37 games earlier this season.
The Buffalo Sabres have grown. They proved it last night against the Calgary Flames. They will prove it again multiple times as the season winds down. Just as they proved it twice against the Toronto Maple Leafs and once against the Vegas Golden Knights.
This team won’t go to the playoffs this season. It’s still a stretch to believe they will earn a playoff berth next season, though it’s possible. But it’s clear they’ve gone from the rebuilding stage to building. And sooner than later, this team will transform from building to contending.
And finally, Stanley Cup contending. And for the majority of Sabres fans loyal enough to stick around through those dark days of the 2010s might just see their team hoist the Stanley Cup in the not-so-distant future.