Top 3 major concerns plaguing the Buffalo Sabres in 2022
The Buffalo Sabres may have won two of their first three games, but there are a few major concerns the team must address.
The Buffalo Sabres are quietly showing the NHL universe they are a better hockey team than they were last season, hanging with the likes of the Florida Panthers and upsetting a Western Conference Finalist in the Edmonton Oilers. But there are still a few major concerns plaguing this hockey team, and those concerns have been on display at specific points in their first three outings.
If the Sabres want to win consistently this season, addressing the following issues outlined below should be at the top of their priority list. Here are three major concerns they must improve on immediately.
1 – Time of possession
Despite some of their big wins and decent outings so far in 2022, the Sabres have got to start finding a way to generate more puck possession. Despite the final score last night, the Edmonton Oilers constantly held the puck during the third period, forcing the Sabres to turn to goaltender Eric Comrie to bail them out.
Comrie rose to the challenge, and the Sabres ended up pulling off the upset. But this cannot possibly continue with Calgary and Vancouver coming up.
2 – Lack of creativity late
In the past two games, the Buffalo Sabres have 10 combined shots on goal in the third period. Of course, this major issue ties directly into the first and third issues listed. But if they want to hold onto leads or mount third period comebacks, they need to find more ways to create.
It starts with generating more time in their offensive zone. And they would also do well to put themselves ahead of the curve before giving away puck possession to opponents. There is only one way to accomplish that.
3 – Faceoff losses again plague the Buffalo Sabres
Earlier in the season, the preseason, really, I praised Casey Mittelstadt’s ability to win faceoffs in the early going. Turns out, that may have been short-lived. Mittelstadt finished 7 for 18 in faceoff wins against Edmonton, and the team struggled to win just 44% of them.
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To get more creative and to stay out of the defensive zone, the Sabres can’t continue to let opponents win faceoffs, especially late. This was a major issue last season that appears to be trickling into their 2022-23 campaign.
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)