Buffalo Sabres MUST improve blue line before trade deadline
By Zach Jezioro
After a blowout loss against the Calgary Flames, the Buffalo Sabres have a huge issue. Here is how they can go about fixing it.
Ten days after losing to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Buffalo Sabres suffered a terrible loss at the hands of the Calgary Flames, both losses taking place at home. After taking a 2-0 lead in the first period, Buffalo allowed seven unanswered goals, which is the reason why I’m writing this article.
General manager Kevyn Adams has a huge issue on his hands: the blue line. Coming into the season, Buffalo’s goaltending was the biggest question mark. At this moment, the Sabres defense is the biggest concern. Take the Flames game for example.
Despite having a 2-0 lead, the shots on goal were 11-3 in favor of the Flames after the first 20 minutes. In the second period, the Sabres were outshot 23-6 and the total shots of goal were 34-9 at the end of two periods. Yes, you read that right. That is not a typo.
Buffalo Sabres blue line has been horrific at times this season
Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen got left out to dry so many times in the Calgary game. But it’s not just about that game. All season long, Buffalo’s defense at some point during a good majority of the games they played would be getting dominated and beaten causing goals to be scored against them.
Whether it would be getting outshot or leaving opposing players wide open in scoring areas, the current defensive core is not good enough to compete for a playoff spot. If the Sabres hope to make a run for the postseason, they need to trade for a defenseman or two.
Let’s say Buffalo makes the postseason, you are going to need a better defense because the playoffs feature the best of the best. If this team is absolutely confident they can make a push to play in the postseason, Adams needs to bring in a solid defenseman.
More. Sabres need to figure out how to get back in sync. light
I was at the Flames game and witnessed how bad the defense was in front of UPL. If Buffalo doesn’t add on to the blue line before the trade deadline, I’m not sure if I will like their chances in the final couple of months left in the regular season.
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