Buffalo Sabres freefall in the Week 5 Atlantic Power Rankings
The Buffalo Sabres took a massive step back in this week’s power rankings amidst a five-game losing streak to some of the NHL’s best.
Each week, it seems as though one team in the Atlantic Division freefalls in these power rankings. This week, the (dis)honor goes to the Buffalo Sabres since they just cannot seem to get back on track.
Following a hot start to the season, the Sabres proceeded to do the most Sabres thing possible and dropped five of their first six games in November. The good news? At least four of those losses came against elite teams. Either way, it doesn’t give them any free passes. Let’s check out where they stand in the rankings.
91. . 5-8-1. Previous: 8th. Ottawa Senators. 8. team
The Sabres may have had a dry spell, but the Senators are still trying to work out their kinks. The two teams will meet up later this month and depending on the circumstances, it may determine who winds up in the basement.
Previous: 3rd. Buffalo Sabres. 7. team. 12. . 7-8-0
If there is one solace to be found in the Buffalo Sabres latest November meltdown, it’s that they were playing the NHL’s best with sometimes half their defensive rotation featuring AHL-caliber players. The good news? It looks like Henri Jokiharju is on his way back.
Detroit Red Wings. 6. team. 72. . 7-5-3. Previous: 4th
The Red Wings just can’t win games in overtime. But for me, there is solace, as the Yzerman-built team is struggling. This provides further justification that signing a bunch of guys and trading for a few others doesn’t deliver immediate results.
97. . 8-6-1. Previous: 6th. Florida Panthers. 5. team
Florida literally climbed in the rankings because of the Sabres and Red Wings current losing streaks. The more I watch the Panthers, the more I’m convinced that this team has a few more issues than we initially thought.
team. 152. . 8-6-1. Previous: 7th. Montreal Canadiens. 4
Just as one team often freefalls each week, another springboards a few spots. The Canadiens, winners of their last three, suddenly find themselves in the top half of the field. Now the question bodes: Can they stay here?
. 8-5-3. Previous: 5th. Toronto Maple Leafs. 3. team. 116
This is the part of the season where the good teams start to look like themselves and the not so good teams are, well, doing what the Buffalo Sabres are doing. Anyway, the Leafs, at least for this season, look like they belong in the former category.
23. . 8-6-1. Previous: 2nd. Tampa Bay Lightning. 2. team
The Lightning have fared better as of late, and given their experience, you can expect them to get hotter as the regular season progresses.
70. . 14-2-0. Previous: 1st. Boston Bruins. 1. team
Right now, Boston is in a league of its own while the rest of the Atlantic Division is playing for second in these rankings. Until they hit a dry spell similar to what the Buffalo Sabres ran into, or if they hit that spell, they have nowhere to go in these rankings but to remain even-keel.
Related Story. Sabres are not alone in suffering through November 2022. light
Overall, the Buffalo Sabres had a rough patch thanks to injuries juxtaposed with a tough schedule. Now that the team is getting healthier and a more manageable slate of games are coming up,, we may see them at least fare better in next week’s rankings. But if they don’t end the streak, this team will be in trouble.
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