2023-24 Prediction: Buffalo Sabres to have strong March? Part I

Mar 6, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) looks to make a save during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) looks to make a save during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Sabres have a solid 76 points in Sion’s current 2023-24 projection through the season’s first five months. Will their winning ways continue?

The Buffalo Sabres have eight games taking place in the first half of March 2024, and they are opening the month with a tilt vs. the Vegas Golden Knights. This one will be a hard-fought outing, but the Luck of the Goatheads will give the Blue and Gold (or Black and Red) the win here.

Next up are the Winnipeg Jets, and if Connor Hellebuyck is still with the team early in the season, there is a good chance he could be elsewhere by the time this contest rolls around. However, I’m acting as though he’s three until he isn’t, and he gives the Jets just enough to send the game into overtime. But once again, the Goatheads bring some luck, and Buffalo starts off the month 2-0-0.

Buffalo Sabres get off to a hot projected start in March 2024…

While the Sabres have a few days to recover from what was a brutal back-to-back, it won’t be enough to stop a surging Toronto Maple Leafs team. Toronto, despite some overhaul, will be showing the Sabres what “playoff hockey in March” is all about – even if Buffalo should have learned that lesson last season. However, the Sabres will win the second part of the back-to-back against the Nashville Predators.

Buffalo gets into a (predictable) high-scoring affair vs. the Edmonton Oilers when they return home on the ninth, and they lose it in overtime. But they will rebound in a blowout win over the ailing Detroit Red Wings to snag their fourth win of the month.

While the Sabres will be a more physical team this season, it won’t be enough for their next home game vs. the New York Islanders. The Isles take it in a game that isn’t incredibly close. Nonetheless, Buffalo will fly into the Motor City to begin a weeklong road trip, where they will once again top Detroit, ending the first half of March with a 5-2-1 record and 11 points.

Buffalo is looking hot, BUT the “playoff hockey” atmosphere gets real during the season’s final stretch. Will they keep their dream season alive, or will they start to decline? Also, don’t forget to check out our contributor Zach’s take.

  • Record in the first half of March: 5-2-1 (11 points)
  • Overall record: 40-21-7 (87 points)