After posting their strongest week since January, the Buffalo Sabres may once again find themselves climbing the Atlantic Division Power Ranking.
The Buffalo Sabres found themselves rising in last week’s power ranking, but after a week of stellar hockey, the Blue and Gold could be THAT TEAM peaking at the right time. If that’s the case, then the playoffs aren’t as farfetched as they were just two weeks ago.
So where does that rank Buffalo among its cousins in the Atlantic Division? Keep reading for a rundown.
Buffalo Sabres could be peaking in the power ranking
8 – Montreal Canadiens/30-41-6 (66 points)
Last Week’s Ranking: 6
The Montreal Canadiens may have scored an upset win over the Buffalo Sabres this past week, but it’s been nothing but losing since. The Habs have dropped three straight, and opponents outscored them 11-4 in that span.
7 – Detroit Red Wings/34-33-9 (77 points)
Last Week’s Ranking: 8
With each passing week, it’s become clearer that general manager Kevyn Adams’ way of conducting things has superseded Steve Yzerman’s. Even if neither team makes the playoffs, the Sabres should wind up winning the “best in class” over Detroit.
6 – Ottawa Senators/37-34-6 (80 points)
Last Week’s Ranking: 7
Like the Sabres, the Ottawa Senators are on the outside, looking in. But they need nothing short of a miracle stream of losses from teams in front of them, including Buffalo, if they want any chance at the playoffs. This is yet another team that completed a few blockbusters in the free agency and trade departments this past offseason, only to come up short.
5 – Buffalo Sabres/37-31-7 (81 points)
Last Week’s Ranking: 5
Okay, so maybe the Sabres are not in fact peaking in these power rankings. But still, they put up some gaudy numbers this past week without Tage Thompson, and it’s kept them in legitimate contention in April. When was the last time we could claim that?
4 – Florida Panthers/39-31-7 (85 points)
Last Week’s Ranking: 4
Unfortunately for our Sabres, they get to play the Florida Panthers tomorrow night. For context, Florida has outscored opponents 15-4 over their past three games, and they also look like a team peaking at the correct time.
3 – Toronto Maple Leafs/45-21-10 (100 points)
Last Week’s Ranking: 2
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been the league’s most inconsistent group over the past two weeks, having traded W’s and L’s over their past eight games. Then again, it is that time of the year where the wheels fall off for a team that hasn’t won a playoff series since I was in the seventh grade, so I’m not surprised.
2 – Tampa Bay Lightning/45-26-6 (96 points)
Last Week’s Ranking: 3
For a while, it looked as though Toronto would hold the edge for second in the Atlantic, but here come the Tampa Bay Lightning. If the Leafs keep stagnating and the Bolts keep winning, then the race for second place is far from over.
1 – Boston Bruins/60-12-5 (125 points)
Last Week’s Ranking: 1
They’ve become one of the best, if not the best, single-year teams of the 21st century and right now, no one else is in better position to win the Stanley Cup. The road to the Cup will go through Boston, and this won’t be the last place you hear that proclamation.
Overall, the Buffalo Sabres stand pat at fifth, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t peaking at the right time. Give them a win over Florida and another good week, and the Blue and Gold might just be sneaking into that coveted WC2 spot.
(Info provided by ESPN.com)