Buffalo Sabres: AHL affiliate making a late-season playoff push

Buffalo Sabres AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans might give the organization’s faithful a reason to watch playoff hockey after all. 

The Buffalo Sabres are at least ending their season on a high note, despite another year without a playoff berth. But the organization’s prospects in Rochester may see their season extend into May if they can keep playing at a high level.

After getting off to a hot start to the season, the Amerks sputtered later because of injuries and found themselves on the outside looking in. However, the tide has shifted lately and led by a plethora of NHL-caliber prospects, Rochester has rightened the ship.

Buffalo Sabres AHL affiliate have become legitimate playoff contenders

Following the team’s thrilling victory over the Springfield Thunderbirds, the Amerks have continued to pull away from the Toronto Marlies to maintain the fifth spot in the AHL’s North Division. If the Amerks hold on, they will earn their third-straight playoff appearance.

And you can probably guess which players are leading the charge for Rochester. It starts with a redeemed Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who in his previous five outings, has logged a .926 save percentage.

You can also credit Jack Quinn and Sean Malone, both of whom have averaged at least one point over the past 11 games. J.J. Peterka, another NHL-caliber talent, paces the AHL rookie class with 63 points. And Arttu Ruotsalainen is also contending with 50.

Every name listed above besides Malone had at least made cameo appearances with the Sabres this season. And if they continue to play well in Rochester, expect to see them all in the blue and gold at some point in 2022-23.

The Amerks have four games remaining in the regular season, including a pair of contests against the last place Cleveland Monsters. Their other two games will prove quite the test as they face off against the first place Utica Comets.

(Statistics provided by Hockey DB)