The Buffalo Sabres finished the previous week 3-0-0, and they have kept up their high-octane ways in the process. Where do they land in the rankings?
The Buffalo Sabres enjoyed a remarkable week, and as a result, they have once again climbed over 0.500 for the first time in over a month. And they did it while facing a plethora of injuries once more.
Can someone say, improvement? Most definitely. And it shows in this week’s power rankings. Where did they land?
8 – Montreal Canadiens/14-15-2 (30 points)
Last Week Ranking: 7
The Canadiens had it tough this past week, losing three games in a row. Not just that, opponents outscored them 13-5. Perhaps they can get back on track tonight in a tilt with the Arizona Coyotes.
7 – Detroit Red Wings/13-11-6 (32 points)
Last Week Ranking: 4
The Red Wings have lost five straight and have accumulated just two points in those affairs. Things get no easier as they face off against the Washington Capitals, a team who has won seven of their last ten.
6 – Ottawa Senators/14-15-2 (30 points)
Last Week Ranking: 8
The Ottawa Senators enjoyed a four-game winning streak before a crushing loss to the Minnesota Wild. Amidst those games was a convincing win over the struggling Red Wings.
5 – Florida Panthers/15-13-4 (34 points)
Last Week Ranking: 6
The good news is that the Panthers finally seem to be back on track following a win over the New Jersey Devils. The problem? They got the Boston Bruins coming in tonight. They also dropped a recent game to the Pittsburgh Penguins, meaning they are still spotty against top NHL talent.
4 – Buffalo Sabres/15-14-2 (32 points)
Last Week Ranking: 5
How good were the Buffalo Sabres last week? The NHL’s highest-scoring team outscored opponents 15-4. While they have a Week 10 gauntlet coming up, you might be starting to wonder whether anyone can stop their high-scoring attack.
3 – Toronto Maple Leafs/19-7-6 (44 points)
Last Week Ranking: 1
Of course, I was too generous with the Leafs, who dropped two straight and were outscored 8-3. Now, they get to play the Tampa Bay Lightning, a team that has won five straight.
2 – Boston Bruins/24-4-2 (50 points)
Last Week Ranking: 2
The Bruins are still the best team in the Atlantic, but because we also judge on recent performances, they once again weren’t the best team in Week 9. That honor is going to someone else.
1 – Tampa Bay Lightning/ 20-9-1 (41 points)
Last Week Ranking: 3
Over their five-game winning streak, the Lightning have won each game by at least three goals, outscoring opponents 24-7 in that span. Unfortunately, the Buffalo Sabres are playing these guys before the break, but not before a date with the Maple Leafs.
Overall, the Buffalo Sabres were the second-best team in the Atlantic last week. But their record still isn’t good enough to creep them too far into the Top 4 just yet. Another solid week, however, could wind up changing that narrative.
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