Buffalo Sabres: Thoughts heading into the final week of the season

The final week of the regular season is here, and the Buffalo Sabres should have a lot to be proud of even if they miss the playoffs.

As crazy as it sounds, we are entering the final week of the NHL regular season. Barring a miracle and even though they still have a small chance, it seems like the Buffalo Sabres will be missing the postseason once again.

Again, anything can happen, but based on the recent success of other wild card teams, it looks like Buffalo will be playing hockey for the final time this week. I know it sounds like this article will be negative because it will be 12 years since they made the postseason, but I promise you that won’t be the case.

In fact, I am pretty bummed out that the season could very well be over after Game 82 on Friday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets. It is a tough feeling knowing that the season will be over this week but if you’re a fan, you should be excited for next season.

What this team has accomplished is awesome. Yes, having the longest playoff drought in the NHL still stinks but look at what they did this season. They still have four games left and their record is 39-32-7. The last time the Sabres reached at least 40 wins, 2010-2011 when they had 43 wins.

https://twitter.com/Sabremetrix/status/1644159506283216896?s=20

They now have 85 points and even though it could definitely change, it’s been a long time since the team finished with a winning record and had this many points. In fact, the team has accomplished something else that has not been done in a long time.

Buffalo Sabres had a successful regular season in 2022-23

For the first time since 2011-2012, Buffalo will finish the season with a record over .500. For being the youngest team in the NHL, they did pretty well. Despite going through some challenges, fans should be very proud of this team.

It seemed like not a lot of people had them doing bad. The Sabres have four games left until the regular season is over. They will have a tough back-to-back against the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils, their final home game against the Ottawa Senators, and will close it out the night after against Columbus.

What am I looking for in the final four games? I want them to finish the season strong. They have two games in two nights against Stanley Cup contenders, a game against another young wild card team and a battle against a team who had a very rough season.

For the most part, they had a pretty good season, their best in a decade. Finish strong and give these fans something to get excited about going into the Summer. I will leave you with this. No matter if they somehow make the playoffs or miss them, I am very proud of this group.

They have a great core of young players and I am very excited that they are going to have a winning record. I am hoping the fans fill up the building Thursday night. Win or lose, fans should be supportive of them.

Through all the ups and downs, they are a good team on the rise and I can’t wait to see what happens with them going forward.