Buffalo Sabres: 3 remarkable statistics since the losing streak ended
By Sion Fawkes
The Buffalo Sabres have become one of the NHL’s most exciting teams to watch since their eight-game losing streak ended last November.
With Jeff Skinner’s heroics propelling the Buffalo Sabres to a 5-2 win against the Arizona Coyotes, this team has continued to pour goals onto opponents, now averaging four goals per game in 31 contests. But it wasn’t just Skinner; goaltender Craig Anderson posted a 0.936 save percentage, allowing just two goals in 31 shots on goal. And he did it with another spotty defensive effort in front of him that saw the likes of Kale Clague and Jeremy Davies in the rotation.
The Sabres are finally starting to win games shorthanded amidst yet another rash of injuries, and they have been winning soundly. Here are three remarkable statistics this team has posted since their eight-game losing streak ended last month.
1 – Buffalo Sabres are 8-3-2 (18 points)
This is their best mark since March 2022, when they finished the month at 8-3-3. But this team is even better, given their tendency to blow teams out. This time around, the Sabres also aren’t as healthy as they were back in March, but their experience is taking them much further.
In March, the Sabres had their moments, but they were barely getting by, winning many close affairs. This hasn’t always been the case since November 19th, given their 6-0 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday, or their 9-4 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
2 – Tage scoring over two points per game
Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson has 27 points, 13 goals, and 14 assists in 13 games since the streak ended. No one in a blue and gold uniform has played at a higher level, and it’s safe to say Tage will be in serious consideration for All-Star honors when this season ends. Overall, he has 49 points in 31 contests.
3 – Four points back…
The Sabres are currently tied with the ailing Detroit Red Wings for fifth in the Atlantic Division and just four points behind the Washington Capitals for the wild card. Before the season began, I projected the Sabres to at least contend for the wild card for most of the season. Nearing the halfway mark, that prediction is slowly molding into a reality.
Overall, the Buffalo Sabres have been one of the more impressive teams as December rolls on, and they have completely proven me wrong if you look back at my preseason predictions in August. I said the Blue and Gold would be hot in October and November, before embarking on a cold December.
Trending. Jeff Skinner comes through big in first game back. light
Looks like the opposite was true. Buffalo had a cold November, and so far in December, they have played rather well. Let’s see if they can keep up their high-octane ways against the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday.
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)
Article Source: Observations: Tage Thompson, Jeff Skinner do big damage as Sabres silence Coyotes for third straight win by Mike Harrington
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