The Buffalo Sabres were one of the best teams in hockey when it came to scoring goals, but they were unfortunately the odd team out.
The Buffalo Sabres went on a goal-scoring frenzy in 2022-23, finding the back of the net 296 times, which was good for 3.60 per game. That number ranked third in the NHL, and recent history shows us that if you are a Top 10 team in scoring, the probability that you will make the playoffs increases dramatically.
Unfortunately for the Sabres, they were the ONLY team that finished in the Top 10 in scoring this past season to miss the postseason. Fast-forward to the Top 15 teams in goals scored, and the Sabres were one of just two teams (the other was the Vancouver Canucks) to miss out.
Poor defense and goaltending cost the Blue and Gold a playoff spot last season, as they allowed 300 goals, enough for 3.65 per game, joining another six teams in the category. Luckily for the Sabres, general manager Kevyn Adams started making moves to remedy the problem even before the 2022-23 season ended.
Buffalo Sabres shouldn’t be the odd team out in 2023-24
Devon Levi joined the Blue and Gold late in the year and he showed us that he can at least be part of the solution for the Sabres goaltending woes. While Levi had his lean moments, he was predominantly an effective asset when lining up in the crease.
Erik Johnson and Connor Clifton were also much-needed assets, and both will turn around what was a poor defensive rotation apart from Rasmus Dahlin, Mattias Samuelsson, and Owen Power. While Johnson and Clifton will help, they won’t be enough if the forwards don’t start pitching in more.
The Sabres have a fourth line that is more than capable of limiting opponents’ scoring chances, but they don’t have much to go on besides that apart from Alex Tuch, Dylan Cozens, Tyson Jost, and when he returns, Jack Quinn. Turnovers are inevitable in hockey, so there needs to be a more well-rounded effort among the forwards if the Blue and Gold are planning on dramatically reducing the sheer number of goals allowed in 2023-24.
With another year’s worth of experience under their belts, the Buffalo Sabres should repeat as one of the NHL’s most entertaining scoring units. Levi, Johnson, and Clifton will also help the Sabres finish with a positive goal differential. But if they plan on maximizing their chances of avoiding the odd team out label, then the forwards have no choice but to step up and start playing defense when the situation calls for it.
Source: How the Red Wings Can Reach 271 Goals in 2023-24 by Kevin Allen, Detroit Hockey Now
(Historical data provided by Hockey-Reference)