2023-24 Prediction: Buffalo Sabres to have strong March? Part II
By Sion Fawkes
![Feb 21, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Jack Quinn (22) and Toronto Maple Leafs center Calle Jarnkrok (19) look to control a loose puck during the second period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports Feb 21, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Jack Quinn (22) and Toronto Maple Leafs center Calle Jarnkrok (19) look to control a loose puck during the second period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/0f79d3b3a7a78f4e7e4b24200609151ce17281093a7419b3d1256bc283eb9af9.jpg)
The Buffalo Sabres rolled to a 5-2-1 record in Sion’s predictions across the first half of March. Can they keep it up in the second half?
With 87 projected points so far in the 2023-24 season, the Buffalo Sabres look as though they are well on their way to a playoff berth. But, as a young hockey team, they may still have a lot to learn when push comes to shove, especially when they open the second half of the month on the road against the pesky Seattle Kraken.
The Sabres will drop this one in regulation before they lose another against what should still be a weak Vancouver Canucks team on the back-to-back. Buffalo is clearly the more talented team, but exhaustion could be creeping in at this point in their third contest in four days.
After facing the Edmonton Oilers on the ninth, they will see Connor McDavid and Company again north of the border on the 21st, but this will result in yet another losing effort. Following the Oilers game, the Sabres get two days off before they head into Calgary. But with their motivation upended, Buffalo drops its fourth straight, but still snags a point in overtime.
Buffalo Sabres could have a rough outing during the back half of March 2024
The Sabres return home on March 27th with the Ottawa Senators awaiting them, but the surging Sens will officially send the Sabres into a tailspin. Or at least seemingly, as Ottawa takes it in a blowout win.
This will be a moment of truth for the Blue and Gold after dropping five straight when they host the New Jersey Devils on March 29th. But they lose yet again, as the more experienced Devils remain one rung ahead of them when it comes to making playoff pushes.
light. Related Story. 2023-24 Prediction: Buffalo Sabres to have strong March? Part I
But the Buffalo Sabres need to snap this streak of futility at some point, and it will come at the ideal time vs. their biggest rival in the Toronto Maple Leafs. After Leafs fans demand and are denied tickets thanks to the Sabres faithful snagging them first, Buffalo rides that momentum into a narrow win over their rivals north of the border.
- Record in the second half of March: 1-5-1 (3 points)
- Overall record: 41-26-8 (90 points)