How have the Buffalo Sabres fared since their eight-game losing streak?
By Sion Fawkes
The Buffalo Sabres are just over two weeks removed from snapping their infamous eight-game losing streak. How has the team looked since?
As you know, the Buffalo Sabres embarked on an eight-game losing streak that lasted between November 4th and November 19th – until November 22nd if you want to count when they actually snapped the streak. Now, it’s been 16 days since they wreaked havoc on those Montreal Canadiens and have since been one of the league’s steadier teams.
They are 4-2-1 (9 points) in that span, and have scored a remarkable 4.85 goals per game. No, that’s not a typo, and when you multiply that number by seven games, that’s 34 total goals in those seven contests. Yeah, they may still be hanging out near the Atlantic Division’s basement, but teams that put up as many goals as the Sabres are always among the most watchable.
Buffalo Sabres have looked good since the streak ended
One player has stuck out in the scoring realm more than any other and no, it’s not Tage Thompson. Nor is it Rasmus Dahlin. Nope, the player who has stood out the most is none other than Jeff Skinner. Since the 22nd, Skinner is tied for the NHL lead in goals scored alongside Conner McDavid.
Insane, right? He has 13 points (7 + 6), while Tage (4 + 8) and Dylan Cozens (5 + 7) are lurking close behind. Before the season began, I ranked Skinner as the team’s top forward, and this was one reason why – He can get hot at any given time. And although Tage has taken the top spot in those rankings, Skinner isn’t incredibly far behind.
And as we talked about a few times, the Kid Line has been outstanding as of late. They are tenacious, competitive, and their on-ice awareness seems to improve with each game. This is also a line that is mature beyond their years, so expect that arrow to keep pointing north.I have also seen a more aggressive Buffalo Sabres team, and Rasmus Dahlin’s big-time hit the other night drove that point home.
While I don’t expect the Sabres to keep up this high-octane pace in the same sense, I do expect them to put up solid, consistent numbers offensively while they continue to improve their defensive play and goaltending.
Must Read. 3 Buffalo Sabres who must improve in December 2022. light
Overall, scoring in the realm of 3.5 goals per game is realistic for this team. And since the defense and goaltending is still a work in progress, sometimes that 3.5 number will be enough to win, and sometimes it won’t.
(Statistics provided by NHL.com and Hockey-Reference)
Article Source: Sabres Notebook: Dylan Cozens’ NHL Second Star award shines focus on his offensive surge by Mike Harrington
Want your voice heard? Join the Sabre Noise team!