The Buffalo Sabres looked great offensively over the previous two contests. Can they keep it up in Week 15? Here are three predictions.
The Buffalo Sabres looked like their high-octane selves again toward the latter part of last week. In the epic against the New York Islanders, they only scored three goals, but they also faced one of the league’s best goaltenders.
Then they scored six against the Anaheim Ducks in a contest the Blue and Gold initially looked like they were going to struggle once more against lesser competition. But it wasn’t to be and the Sabres won that outing 6-3. Will the same thing continue this week? Here are three predictions.
1 – Buffalo Sabres finish 2-1-1
The Sabres already beat the St. Louis Blues and Minnesota Wild, and I am expecting no less this week. Two weeks ago, they played the Winnipeg Jets well enough in a losing effort for me to believe they can at least give the squad a run for their money.
Dallas is a team that worries me, but overall, I’m expecting five more points this week, which could let the Sabres inch ever so closer to that elusive second wild card spot.
2 – Peyton Krebs, Dylan Cozens keep rolling
Peyton Krebs and Dylan Cozens have found themselves on hot streaks and they are going to keep rolling. Look for Krebs to continue developing his two-way game while Cozens continues to be the effective leader he is on the Kid Line.
Buffalo Sabres fans have got to be happy with what they see in both former first round picks. And given their youth, something tells me they’re just getting started.
3 – Rasmus Dahlin gets angrier
You don’t have to be part of the Buffalo Sabres faithful to know Rasmus Dahlin got snubbed in the All-Star voting. Only Erik Karlsson has more points than Dahlin’s 52 among defensemen, and the Sabres alternate captain only needs one more to match his career-high from last season.
Not that the snub will necessarily make Dahlin angrier this week. But his edge has only grown recently, culminating with a 10-minute misconduct on Tuesday night when he skated through a celebrating Chicago Blackhawks team to get even with an official.
As the Sabres sense of urgency rises, so will Dahlin’s. And with a tough slate this week, look for the defenseman to land a few bone-crunching hits. Hopefully Krebs is on the ice at the same time as Dahlin in a few situations…
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)
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