Contrary to popular belief regarding fans of the Team Up North, the Buffalo Sabres are not eliminated from playoff contention in February.
Sometimes, you just got to wonder about what the media covering the Team Up North is saying. So this morning when I was looking for something interesting to write, I struck gold by invading media outlets covering the Toronto Maple Leafs, and one such outlet claimed the Buffalo Sabres were already out of playoff contention.
Yeah, you read that right. ElSeldo of Fan Nation had this to say in their article regarding tonight’s Sabres-Maple Leafs contest:
"“Yes, it’s one of the games that Sabres season ticket holders will sell to pay for the other games that they will eventually sell for 5 bucks in March because the team is once again eliminated from playoff contention early and no one wants to go to the games.” via Pension Plan Puppets"
I don’t know about you, but the last I checked, the Sabres are actually just four points behind the Florida Panthers. As of Tuesday, February 21st, 2023, anyway. While the above statement could be true a week from today, or at least closer to being true, one quick glance at the current standings could have told you that the Blue and Gold are still in the thick of things.
Are the Buffalo Sabres “forever rebuilding?”
ElSeldo made such a claim in that same piece. Check out the following quote:
"“The Leafs head to Buffalo tonight, where they’ll take on the forever rebuilding Sabres infront of 15,000 Maple Leafs fans!” – via Pension Plan Puppets"
It’s a bit bold to claim another team is “forever rebuilding” when the Maple Leafs haven’t won a Stanley Cup since Lyndon Johnson was in office. Sure, they have more Cups than the Sabres (thanks to being around since 1917 and for the most part, facing just five measly teams to win those Cups).
And when was the last time the Leafs even won a playoff series? I think high-speed internet was still science fiction, if I’m not mistaken.
No, the Sabres haven’t earned a playoff berth in nearly 12 seasons. That trend could continue this year, and they haven’t won a series since 2007 – but hey, at least it dial-up was practically obsolete at that point.
So when you read articles like these today, just laugh at them. No need to get the blood boiling over content that’s simply meant to get a rise out of you and the many fans in blue and gold attire who will be packing KeyBank Arena tonight. And if they win tonight, the City of Buffalo needs to party like it’s May 31st, 1999. Perhaps Leafs fans need a reminder of what happened on that day…
Source: FTB: Maple Leafs head to their home away from home – by ElSeldo
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