When you are a young hockey team like the Buffalo Sabres, you are unfortunately going to embark on some migraine-inducing rough patches.
While the Buffalo Sabres losing streak can easily continue, I’ve decided to write this article now because their gauntlet phase is in the rearview. Clearly, the Sabres failed the test, losing their last five matchups, but it doesn’t mean there weren’t some good things that emerged during the streak.
For one, not a single game was over by the third period, so that’s a definite step in the right direction. And this was the case with two and sometimes three AHL-caliber backups playing in the defensive rotation. But let’s explore positive areas that really jumped out at me.
1 – The Buffalo Sabres found another star player
Even if the team failed to overcome adversity, one player has totally crushed it throughout the streak. Tage Thompson has five points in those previous five games, with four goals that included one that might just be the team’s Goal of the Year to this point when he faced a one-on-three against Boston while the Sabres were shorthanded.
Overall, Tage Thompson has shown up more than anyone else during the dry spell. Something Sabres fans needed to see, given the big extension he signed last summer.
2 – The Sabres know where they stand
When a team starts off 7-3-0 and had a +13 goal differential at one point, you know they are an improved bunch. Even if the Sabres once again started off hot before cooling down in November, they were making statement wins against both playoff-caliber teams and against teams at their level, and that alone is an improvement.
But they also couldn’t beat the NHL’s best teams. Sure, the Arizona Coyotes was one that got away, but then again, the Sabres were no outliers in arguably the NHL’s least relevant team sneaking up on them.
By knowing where they stand, the Sabres now know more about the critical areas of their game that need work. If they focus on those areas, expect them to stun a few opponents later on in the season.
3 – They know what lineups DO NOT work
While it will always be beyond me as to why head coach Don Granato kept trying to switch up the lineups during these critical moments, it is, in hindsight, a positive because he and everyone in the Queen City knows what does not work. For the Buffalo Sabres, this will, long-term, give them greater stability in the lineup since Granato will be more hesitant to use some of those lineups.
Expect more familiarity from here on out, and that could translate into wins starting as soon as Tuesday night when the Buffalo Sabres faceoff with the Vancouver Canucks. That’s assuming Granato has no more surprises up his sleeve.
Article Source: Sabres lean on familiarity at forward in preparation for Bruins by Jourdon LaBarber
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