Top 3 reasons the Buffalo Sabres will upset the Hurricanes

The Buffalo Sabres play only one game this week before the All-Star break. Here are three reasons why they will upset yet another elite team. 

Often, I write three bold predictions for the week, but with only the Carolina Hurricanes on the slate, I decided to mix things up for Week 16. The Buffalo Sabres may be playing one of the NHL’s best, but don’t make the mistake in believing this will be an automatic loss.

In fact, the Sabres have a few advantages here that can give them the win. So what gives the Blue and Gold the edge? Keep reading to find out.

1 – The Buffalo Sabres have improved defensively

While it’s natural to expect the Buffalo Sabres will still struggle on defense to an extent, they have also played much better recently. Over the past six games, the Blue and Gold only allowed 15 goals, or 2.5 per game.

They prevented opponents from taking advantage of rebounds, clearing the puck from the slot if the goaltenders can’t outright stop a shot on net. The Sabres have also gotten a stick on the puck during odd-man rushes and breakaways, further nullifying scoring chances.

2 – The Sabres play elite teams well

Minus the Seattle Kraken, the Buffalo Sabres have played the NHL’s best teams with poise. They’ve gone on the road to defeat the likes of the Boston Bruins, Dallas Stars, and Winnipeg Jets. Earlier in the year, the Vegas Golden Knights led the Pacific, and Buffalo skated into and stole a win at T-Mobile Arena, earning themselves yet another win against the league’s best.

Now that the Hurricanes are one of the league’s hottest teams and leading the Metropolitan division, recent history is once again on the Sabres side. But that’s not the only variable in play here.

3 – Buffalo has won often on national TV

So far, the Blue and Gold have crushed it on national television, including that legendary 9-4 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. They handled the Detroit Red Wings in a thriller, and rallied to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins back in November.

They’ve also played well at home when there are at least 17,000 fans rocking the KeyBank Center. So if this game attracts a large crowd, and it should, the Hurricanes will be in trouble.

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