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Buffalo Sabres Best Games of 2022-23: Upset in Edmonton

By Sion Fawkes

Oct 18, 2022; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Buffalo Sabres defensemen Henri Jokiharju (10) and Edmonton Oilers defensemen Brett Kulak (27) chase a loose puck during the second period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2022; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Buffalo Sabres defensemen Henri Jokiharju (10) and Edmonton Oilers defensemen Brett Kulak (27) chase a loose puck during the second period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Buffalo Sabres finished the season 12-2-2 on the road this past season against the Western Conference. And a massive upset kicked it off.

The Buffalo Sabres were at their best while on the road against the Western Conference in 2022-23, and no one gave the “still-developing” team a chance when they flew into Edmonton on their road opener. It was a matchup that Eric Comrie found himself starting, and he had the game of his life against what became the NHL’s best scoring team.

The Edmonton Oilers outdueled the Sabres, getting good looks (especially in the third period) and sending an endless array of shots on goal toward Buffalo’s new goaltender. But Comrie saved nearly everything, finishing the game with 46 saves on 48 shots, good for a 0.958 save percentage, playing a pivotal role in handing the Blue and Gold the W.

And the Sabres, despite just 24 shots on goal, held up their end of the bargain offensively, with Rasmus Dahlin scoring on a power play at the game’s four-minute mark, his third goal in as many games. Tage Thompson and J.J. Peterka added another pair of goals in the second period, increasing the Sabres lead to 3-1, and Alex Tuch clinched the game on an empty-netter.

Buffalo Sabres pulled off a major upset in road opener

The upset win set the stage for what would become a dominant season on the road, with a 25-13-3 record (53 points), one of the best in team history. And though Buffalo didn’t earn a playoff trip, they were neck and neck with Edmonton and the Boston Bruins for the lead in goals scored this season, two of the league’s best teams. While the Sabres finished third in that race, to be anywhere near the top of the league in anything positive as the league’s youngest team told us a lot of where this group is going.

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Looking forward to 2023-24, expect the Blue and Gold to continue challenging the best teams in the Western Conference. But you can also look for them to play better at home as they try to snap what will soon be a 13-year playoff drought.

(Historical data provided by Hockey-Reference)

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