Buffalo Sabres break even in final power ranking – April 2022

The Buffalo Sabres enjoyed a four-game winning streak before the Boston Bruins snapped it last night on the final road outing of the season. 

The Buffalo Sabres may have lost big to the Boston Bruins in their road finale last night, but they did not lay down for their playoff-bound division rival. Yet another sign this team is moving in the right direction, despite the final score.

But, it also shows the Sabres need to figure out how to handle their upper-echelon division rivals not named the Toronto Maple Leafs. And since the Sabres also handled low-tier opponents well, they are rewarded with a fifth-place finish in the Atlantic Division Power Rankings.

Buffalo Sabres take fifth in the final 2021-22 Atlantic Power Rankings

8. Montreal Canadiens

Just one year removed from playing for the Stanley Cup, the Canadiens find themselves in the Atlantic’s basement. Expect a long offseason as the Habs rebuild.

7. Detroit Red Wings

Despite a 3-0 shutout win over Jersey, the Red Wings are still allowing too many goals. In their last four, opponents outscored them 15-7.

6. Ottawa Senators

Like the Sabres, the Senators saw their own four-game winning streak snapped in a shutout loss. In the two games before that, they scored 11 goals.

5. Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres 5-0 loss is a blemish on an otherwise stellar second half of April. They just need to figure out how to play top-tier divisional opponents well next season.

4. Tampa Bay Lightning

It was a tossup between the Lightning and Bruins. But given the latter’s four-game winning streak, they get precedent over Tampa.

3. Boston Bruins

The Bruins made quick work of the Sabres last night amidst a four-game winning streak in which they outscored opponents 17-6. This team is peaking at the right time.

2. Toronto Maple Leafs

Following losses to playoff-bound rivals, the Maple Leafs bounced back nicely. Unfortunately, those wins came against Detroit and a fringe playoff team in the Washington Capitals.

1. Florida Panthers

The Panthers continue to roll, having won 17 of their previous 20 contests. They are ready to compete for a Stanley Cup.

Overall, the Sabres can call their fifth-place finish in the Atlantic Division Power Rankings a success, having found themselves stuck in the divisional doldrums earlier in the season. But, moving forward into 2022-23, expectations will grow. Anything lower than fourth will be unacceptable.