The Buffalo Sabres move up the Atlantic Division in Week 7
Last week, it was the Buffalo Sabres turn to sit in the Atlantic Division’s basement. This week, they moved up slightly, but they still have ways to go.
The Buffalo Sabres may be one game out of last place in the Atlantic Division, but these power rankings will tell a slightly different story, given their performance last week. They finished 2-1-0, snapping their eight-game losing streak in the process, before losing in a competitive matchup to the red-hot New Jersey Devils.
That said, the Sabres moved up a little in the power rankings, which also factor in each teams’ most recent play. So who is in the basement, who is first, and where do the Sabres rank? Keep reading.
91. . 8-12-1. Previous: 7th. Ottawa Senators. 8. team
No one in the Atlantic Division had a bad week, but one of the Senators wins came against the worst team in hockey and they could not find a way to do much against Vegas. This brings the Sens back into the basement.
. 11-9-1. Previous: 5th. Montreal Canadiens. 7. team. 152
While the Canadiens boast a better record than the Buffalo Sabres, their blowout loss that allowed the Blue and Gold to snap an eight-game losing streak drops them back two notches. The Sabres pretty much did what they wanted to that night, and the Canadiens couldn’t respond.
6. team. 12. . 9-12-0. Previous: 8th. Buffalo Sabres
How many teams snap two streaks in the same week? Just a couple days after they snapped their own losing streak, the Buffalo Sabres scored all over the St. Louis Blues, stalling a seven-game winning streak. While they did not beat New Jersey, the Sabres outmuscled the Devils and created numerous opportunities. Small steps.
97. . 10-8-3. Previous: 6th. Florida Panthers. 5. team
I predicted the Panthers could get off to a slow start this season, but I also thought they’d get it together after the first quarter mark. While they beat the Bruins, they also dropped four of their last five, allowing 21 goals in those losses.
23. . 12-7-1. Previous: 2nd. Tampa Bay Lightning. 4. team
The top four teams in the Atlantic had near-equal solid weeks, but the Lightning have the worst record of the group, so they drop to Number 4. They have an opportunity, however, to climb back up a rung or two with the Buffalo Sabres coming to town.
Previous: 4th. Detroit Red Wings. 3. team. 72. . 11-5-4
The Yzerman-built Red Wings hop up to Number 3 here, but let’s not get overly excited. They beat the Arizona Coyotes, Nashville Predators, San Jose Sharks, and Columbus Blue Jackets. That doesn’t necessarily pack a punch. Sorry, Red Wings fans…
Previous: 3rd. Toronto Maple Leafs. 2. team. 116. . 13-5-5
The Maple Leafs are on a points streak, and if they didn’t play in the same division as the Boston Bruins, I would have no choice but to place them at Number One in these rankings. Instead, they will be second until Boston hits a cold streak.
70. . 18-3-0. Previous: 1st. Boston Bruins. 1. team
Any time the Bruins lose, it’s just because they, like any elite team, just had an off-night. Everything is still clicking and running on all cylinders at the moment.
light. Related Story. What will it take to bring Jakob Chychrun to Buffalo
Overall, the Buffalo Sabres moved up two spots this week, thanks to their blowout wins, but their failure to upend Jersey keeps them deep in the lower half of these rankings. If they can upset the Tampa Bay Lightning, it will be a major boost for the NHL’s youngest team.
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