So far in Sion’s 2023-24 predictions, the Buffalo Sabres are playing 0.500 hockey. Will that change in the latter half of November 2023?
The Buffalo Sabres sat at 3-3-1 in my latest projection and 7-7-2 across October and the first half of November 2023. Do I see the Sabres finally breaking away in the second half of November, or will 0.500 hockey continue for the Blue and Gold?
If the Sabres are anything like they were last season, then playing six road games in seven total contests gives them a huge advantage between November 17th and November 30th. You can expect better play, and so will I.
First up, Buffalo visits the Winnipeg Jets, a team they defeated on the road last season. The Sabres once again snag the W before they play Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks.
In Game 1 of what should be quite a few memorable outings between Bedard and goaltender Devon Levi, the latter takes one from the number one overall pick and inches closer to removing the underrated label for good. Buffalo will snag a three-game winning streak when they return to the East Coast to play Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals, thanks in part to the fact they have two days off between games.
Buffalo Sabres get hot during the final half of November 2023
The Sabres lone home game comes vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins, one of the NHL’s oldest teams. At this point in the year, the younger Blue and Gold will get the best of Pittsburgh, but fatigue will finally catch up to them and they will lose the following night to the New Jersey Devils.
Devon Levi will ultimately fall to the New York Rangers, but it won’t happen on November 27th as he once again takes yet another win against them in an overtime thriller. Finally, they end the month on the road against the St. Louis Blues, a team that will be fun to play for as long as Tage Thompson is in a Buffalo Sabres uniform. I’m getting bold with this one and stating Tage earns himself a hat trick in a blowout win over the Blues.
Overall, the Buffalo Sabres will get hot in the second half of November 2023. Mainly thanks to the fact they will play quite a few road games.
Coming up is our projections for the first half of December 2023 – Will the Blue and Gold carry their momentum into the final month of the year? Oh, and be sure to check out our contributor Zach’s predictions for the second half of November.
- Record for November 17th to November 30th: 6-1-0
- Overall Record: 13-8-2 (28 points)