Buffalo Sabres must learn from Boston’s big playoff mistake

Buffalo Sabres head coach Don Granato and general manager Kevyn Adams should be taking some serious notes during the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The seemingly untouchable Boston Bruins sit on the brink of playoff elimination, tied in a deadlock with the Florida Panthers. While I’m not going to sit here and talk about the ‘what-ifs,’ though they’ve crossed my mind, I do want to discuss one ill-advised strategy the Bruins have used this postseason that the Buffalo Sabres would do well to refrain from when they make the playoffs next season.

Heading into next season, barring anything unforeseen, we should see Devon Levi step in as the starting goaltender, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen most likely backs him up. Over in Boston, you’re seeing Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman forging a formidable one-two combo. Or better yet, you saw this, given what Boston’s done during the playoffs – basically forgetting that Swayman even exists.

In the six games the Bruins have played in this playoff series, Ullmark started all six contests and saw 360 minutes of ice time. Swayman, on the other hand, has seen just three minutes, and it’s a stark contrast from the 1A and 1B approach they rolled with earlier this year.

Buffalo Sabres cannot repeat Boston’s mistake to play one goalie only

During their historic regular season, Boston started Ullmark in 48 games, Swayman in 33 games, and Keith Kinkaid just once. One reason Ullmark played so well – 0.938 save percentage and a 1.89 GAA – is because he had gotten more than enough breathers with Swayman coming in and also playing lights out. There were obviously more reasons than Swayman’s presence, but it never hurts to keep your legs fresh, yet, come the playoffs, it’s been all Ullmark.

And while many teams go with their best goaltender, we also need to remember that the Bruins had a 3-1 lead at one point in the series. They say if it isn’t broke, don’t try to fix it, and obviously, Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery didn’t get the memo.

So to Mr. Granato, if you go with a 1A and 1B mentality for 2024, where Levi starts roughly 48 games and Luukkonen, 34, do yourself a favor, and keep them fresh throughout the playoffs. It makes zero sense to go against logic and use a strategy different from the one that led your division rival not only to the playoffs, but the best regular season in NHL history.

Learn from Boston’s mistake. And if you do, maybe the Buffalo Sabres will end more than one playoff-related drought next season.

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)

Source: Inside the NHL: With cap problems looming next season, Bruins have major issue trying to salvage Game 7 by Mike Harrington, BuffaloNews.com