Buffalo Sabres deservedly tank in Week 17 power ranking

The Buffalo Sabres have looked like the best team in hockey at some points this season. Lately, they’ve looked like the worst team. 

The Buffalo Sabres suffered two straight blowout losses. Hopefully, Don Granato’s latest practices will remedy the situation, but getting outscored 12-3 in two contests means the latest power rankings won’t reflect you in a positive light.

So where did I feel the Sabres should sit at the moment? Don’t be so taken aback when you see this. Their low ranking was well-deserved.

8 – Buffalo Sabres/26-21-4 (56 points)

Last Week’s Ranking: 4

While the Buffalo Sabres are fifth in the Atlantic in terms of points, the fact opponents outscored them 12-3 over their past two games puts them squarely in the basement. Until they stop being so lazy on the ice, I’m reserving the basement just for them.

7 – Montreal Canadiens/22-27-4 (48 points)

Last Week’s Ranking: 8

Besides the Sabres, no one in the Atlantic Division played incredibly bad lately, and the Canadiens have won their previous two outings. But they are still a step behind the rest of the division points-wise, and the Habs also struggled through a four-game losing streak before topping the New York Islanders and the Edmonton Oilers.

6 – Detroit Red Wings/23-20-8 (54 points)

Last Week’s Ranking: 7

Like Montreal, the Red Wings also won their previous two outings. One came in a nail biter against the Calgary Flames, and another in blowout fashion vs. the Vancouver Canucks. Detroit also won four of their last six.

5 – Ottawa Senators/24-24-3 (51 points)

Last Week’s Ranking: 6

The Senators may be seventh overall in the Atlantic, but their stellar play lately catapults them up another ranking to fifth. Before their 6-3 loss to the Oilers, Ottawa outscored opponents 18-7 amidst a four-game winning streak.

4 – Florida Panthers/26-23-6 (58 points)

Last Week’s Ranking: 5

Florida is another team getting their act together. Despite a 6-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, it came off the heels of a three-game winning streak. In one of those games, they smashed the Tampa Bay Lightning 7-1.

3 – Toronto Maple Leafs/32-14-8 (72 points)

Last Week’s Ranking: 2

While the Maple Leafs looked good over their last 10 contests, they also lost to the Senators, the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Boston Bruins, and the Canadiens. The Leafs are in contention, but they aren’t quite at the top.

2 – Boston Bruins/39-8-5 (83 points)

Last Week’s Ranking: 3

The Bruins suffered their second home loss in regulation in a 2-1 affair against the Washington Capitals. It gave Boston their fourth loss over the last five contests. While they topped the Leafs, two of those losses came against the surging Florida teams.

1 – Tampa Bay Lightning/34-16-2 (70 points)

Last Week’s Ranking: 1

Despite a 7-1 loss to in-state rival Florida, the Lightning have looked like the best team in the division, topping several playoff-bound teams over the last few weeks that included the Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, and the Bruins.

Overall, the Buffalo Sabres looked like a bad hockey team over their previous two contests. And while you may perceive their last-place ranking as harsh, until they dig themselves out of their latest slump, I’m reserving that spot just for them. After the bad hockey we’ve seen since the month began, they deserve it.

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