The Buffalo Sabres are off to a surprising 6-3 start in the 2022-23 NHL Season. Here are the three biggest surprises from the first nine games.
The Buffalo Sabres have jumped out to hot starts in October and even November in recent memory. But that shouldn’t keep fans from celebrating. The Sabres are a team I wouldn’t claim to be good just yet, but they also aren’t a bad hockey team.
Since March 2022, the Sabres are 23-12-3 (47 points), not bad for a team that was destined to be a cellar-dweller last year and maybe one tiny rung higher this season. And while there is still a lot of hockey to be played, let’s celebrate these small victories and recognize the three biggest surprises that I’ve noticed in the season’s opening slate of games.
1 – Buffalo Sabres Goaltending
Goaltenders Craig Anderson and Eric Comrie have been better than advertised. Sure, Comrie had one “bad game” against the Seattle Kraken last Tuesday, but it wasn’t like his defensive rotation gave him much help.
Other than that, the Misfit Duo, as I’ll call them, have been one of the better tandems in the NHL. If these two stay healthy, expect them to enjoy sustained success as the season progresses.
2 – Rasmus Dahlin’s hot start
While I saw Rasmus Dahlin putting together a season that would put him in contention for the Norris Trophy, no one truly saw him pulling off six goals in the team’s first nine games. Overall, Dahlin has 12 points in those games and was arguably the NHL’s best two-way defenseman in October.
He logged a 19.4% shooting percentage, 25:23 of average time on ice, 18 blocks, 16 hits, and seven takeaways. His nine giveaways could be a cause for concern, but let’s be real: It shows us that Dahlin is taking more chances with the puck.
More chances that are yielding results for the 22-year-old. Want even more fun? Per his possession metrics at even strength, the Buffalo Sabres on-ice save percentage is an astounding 95.5%.
3 – The Epics in Buffalo
It started on the 29th when the Sabres squared off against the Chicago Blackhawks and found themselves trailing by two goals midway through the third period. But Tage Thompson scored two, which forced an overtime before winger and power play specialist Victor Olofsson sunk the game-winner.
Fast-forward to Monday night, where the Yzerman-built Detroit Red Wings faced the Adams-built Sabres. Not only did Buffalo take Round 1 in what will be a thrilling season series; they laughed the Red Wings off the ice in an 8-3 smackdown.
The Sabres were supposed to limp out of the gate, but they didn’t. They were supposed to be limping when half their starting defensive rotation went down with injuries. Sure, they stumbled, but they didn’t fall.
Given their epic wins, which also included road victories against the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames, the Buffalo Sabres surprised the NHL universe in October. Now the question remains: Can they do it again in November?
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)
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