The Buffalo Sabres are just four points out from the second wild card spot and they have an opportunity to draw nearer to that slot tonight.
The Buffalo Sabres may be in the playoff race as the 2022-23 NHL Season enters its most crucial stretch for the first time in forever. But they are still a flawed hockey team who have struggled in various facets.
Below, you’ll find three major improvements the Blue and Gold must make for tonight’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and beyond if they want to stay in the hunt. One or two of these issues may not surprise you, but there is one more that you may not have previously thought of. Let’s talk about them, starting with a strength that’s turned into a weakness.
1 – Improve the power play
A few days ago, I dedicated an entire article to the Sabres power play. One thing I mentioned was Tage Thompson, who has 16 goals on the man advantage this season, but just two in his last 17 games.
It’s clear that when Tage is scoring on the power play, the Buffalo Sabres special team unit is one of the league’s best. So to get the power play rolling again, the Blue and Gold must find a way to get Tage open, so he can do what he does best.
Opposing penalty kill units have keyed on the star forward. But if the Sabres took more shots on the man advantage that allowed for more rebound attempts, the ensuing chaos could leave Tage lurking all alone in the circle. This is something we haven’t seen the Sabres do lately, as instead they seem to continually wait for the perfect play that just isn’t there.