Buffalo Sabres have become the NHL’s kardiac kids

Mar 25, 2022; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Victor Olofsson (71) celebrates his goal with center Casey Mittelstadt (37) during the second period against the Washington Capitals at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2022; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Victor Olofsson (71) celebrates his goal with center Casey Mittelstadt (37) during the second period against the Washington Capitals at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Sabres have become the kardiac kids of the NHL, having taken four playoff contenders into overtime. 

The Buffalo Sabres are legit, there is no doubt these days. One month ago, this is a game where they would have lost by five goals. Instead, they lost in a shootout. But really, who cares? They were bound to lose another hockey game.

And to take a team like the Washington Capitals who clearly outplayed them, especially when it came to puck aggression, to overtime, that’s saying a lot about who the Sabres have become. They’re no longer a pushover, or a team that contenders overlook.

They can’t overlook the Sabres, who have become giant slayers, routinely taking it to the NHL’s top teams. At least in the month of March. But, they’ve also become the NHL’s version of the Kardiac Kids – a nickname for the 1980 Cleveland Browns back in the day. Four straight overtimes justifies that moniker.

Buffalo Sabres have become the NHL’s version of the Kardiac Kids

These Sabres, despite the fact they’re all but eliminated from playoff contention, force you to keep your eyes glued to the TV. Even when a team like Washington statistically outplayed them, logging 40 shots to the Sabres 23. Almost doubling the Sabres in hits, and snagging 54% of all face-offs.

A narrow loss like this shows you the Sabres, even when outmatched, can still maximize their chances and put themselves in position to win a game. Even if it means winning ugly, which this game would have been if they capitalized just one more time.

But even in a loss, there’s progress. The Sabres converted 13% of their shots on goal. They turned the puck over eight times, and Washington physically manhandled them. But it didn’t matter. The Sabres still played well enough to force overtime.

And right now, with a young team, it’s okay to lose these kinds of games. Yeah, a W would be nice. They will get those W’s and a lot of them if they continue to capitalize on their opportunities. But right now, from now until at least October 2022, it’s all about getting one-percent better each night.

The Capitals were the better team in every facet of the game Friday night. But the Sabres nearly won. Even in a loss, the Kardiac Sabres got one-percent better.