Can someone say, “Upset?”
The Sabres swept the Toronto Maple Leafs in March and they also handed Jack Eichel a loss in his return to KeyBank Arena. Add in the team’s first shutout since October 2019 and it’s possible the Sabres pull off another upset (or two).
The last time the Sabres played the Penguins, they took one of the NHL’s best teams into overtime They also beat Pittsburgh at home earlier this season, but fell twice to Washington, losing one game in a shootout.
And those Sabres were toiling amidst a 5-15-4 record in November/December 2021. Since the All-Star break, the Sabres are 7-9-1. And with five of their victories coming against potential playoff teams, expect them to at least split this upcoming homestand.
These Sabres are a tighter-knit group than they were in the waning moments of 2021. They’re healthier, and they’re a far more proven commodity. In early 2022, the Sabres have evolved into a team expecting to win on any given gameday.